Mission accomplished was about the best Australian coach Tim Sheens could take from his side's 42-4 win over France in Paris on Saturday, the ugly victory sending the Kangaroos through to a Four Nations final against England next weekend.

A makeshift Australian side made hard work of overcoming a gallant French side, five second half tries including doubles to Morris twins Josh and Brett blowing out the score after the home side and an over-zealous New Zealand referee had done his best to kill the first half action.

Not even a hat-trick to debutant centre Michael Jennings could temper Sheens' frustrations, though the veteran coach admitted the reality check could end up working in his side's favour after they lost last year's World Cup final to New Zealand after waltzing through the preliminary rounds.

"We never looked like we were going to get beat, but I wouldn't say we were in our rhythm or that it was a great game," Sheens said.

"I'm not that happy with where we are but we're in the final - that's the first thing.

"We had to scrape a bit and maybe that's good for us.

"Running up a hundred up against a French side wouldn't have done us any good either. The boys had to work hard and it was a good 80 minute for some of them.

"I'd rather be trying to improve than playing at the top of our game and being a little worried about not being able to go to that next level.

"I think there was a bit of that last year in the World Cup. They played so well to get there and then they had a few hiccups and it really caught them off guard.

"We haven't played our best, but we've seen elements of it here and there."

An Australian side missing the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis was never going to be at its best against the French, though credit must be given to the opposition, who have looked like challenging in the first half of each of their games before fitness has got the better of them.

The Australians took until the 20th minute to get their first try - Darren Lockyer sending Jennings over out wide for a four-pointer which took five minutes to give as the video referee deliberated the grounding of the ball.

The duo combined for the visitors only other try of the first half, but four quick tries inside the opening 15 minutes of the second stanza blew the game wide open before Josh Morris capped his first game with two late tries to match the effort of twin brother Brett - who took his tally to four tries in three Tests.

"I'm getting used to this one," French coach Bobby Goulding said.

"It's been three games and it's the same old story.

"You can't give sides like Australia opportunities.

"We showed commitment, effort, guts and we showed French rugby league is back on track."

While man of the match Jennings probably didn't do enough to unseat either Inglis or Justin Hodges for a start in the final, the Penrith flyer said he was happy just to make an impact in his first game.

"It's a great way to remember it - I just wanted to get the win," Jennings said.

"Three tries just makes it so much better."