Kookaburras face the Netherlands in semis

Australia face The Netherlands in the semi-final of the men's season-ending Hockey World League Final on Saturday in Raipur, India.

The world No.1 Kookaburras haven't played the second-ranked Dutch since beating them 6-1 at the World Cup final in 2014.

Australia have progressed effortlessly into the quarters, first defeating Canada 2-0, then Germany 4-1 on Wednesday, with Jeremy Hayward and Jamie Dwyer scoring in quick succession in the opening minutes of the match to keep the Europeans on the backfoot.

Facing the world No.2 side will be a valuable test for the Kookaburras who will be looking to close out the season in style before ramping up for a busy couple of months next year in the lead up to the Rio Olympics.

Australian coach Graham Reid says the World League Final is a chance to trial new formations and players before deciding on an Olympic strategy.

Ahead of them, the Kookaburras have a series in Perth against Great Britain in April-May in 2016 and the Champions Trophy in Argentina in June before the Olympics two months later.

Hosts India play Belgium in the other semi in Raipur on Sunday.