History will be made at Old Trafford on Sunday morning (AEDT) when defending champions Australia take on first-time finalists Samoa in the men's final, and Australia take on New Zealand in the women's final of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Kangaroos v Samoa: Australia unchanged; Lemuelu in for Brown
The Kangaroos booked a spot in their 10th World Cup final with a hard-fought 16-14 win over New Zealand in the first semi before Samoa stunned hosts England 27-26 in a golden point thriller to advance to the decider.
Having lost 60-6 to England in the opening game of the tournament it was a remarkable turnaround by Matt Parish's team, who fear no-one as they stand on the verge of an incredible triumph.
Australia are chasing a third consecutive World Cup title after winning in 2013 and 2017 and they are battle hardened after being pushed to the limit by the Kiwis in a physical clash at Elland Road.
Samoa will enter the final as sentimental favourites and are sure to have the crowd on their side at Old Trafford but the Kangaroos boast a remarkable World Cup record having been crowned champions 11 times.
Latest Team News
Australia: A clean bill of health for the Kangaroos. Coach Mal Meninga looks to have settled on Nathan Cleary at halfback and Ben Hunt and Harry Grant as his hookers, so veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans looks to be one of the unlucky players to miss out on the 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard return from a cork in the semi-final and came through unscathed and will be right to play.
Samoa: Fa'amanu Brown will miss the final after suffering a concussion against England when he clashed heads with teammate Oregon Kaufusi. Chanel Harris-Tavita will start at hooker in his place, while Dolphins signing Connelly Lemuelu will join the squad. Prop Junior Paulo is free to play after receiving a caution for a lifting tackle on England's Tom Burgess and is a huge inclusion for the Pacific nation.
Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns: Bremner to fullback; Stephens-Daly returns
Two powerhouses of women's rugby league will go head-to-head at Old Trafford on Sunday (AEDT) when the Australian Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns square off in their fourth-consecutive World Cup Final.
New Zealand, who have played in every World Cup final since the tournament's inception in 2000, have taken home the trophy a record three times, but after finishing runners-up to Australia in 2013 and 2017, will be desperate to reclaim their mantle.
The two sides have already faced off in the 2021 World Cup, with Australia defeating their Trans-Tasman rivals by two points in the final group game — the Kiwi underdogs standing tall against such their highly-touted opponent.
Led by 2022 NRLW Dally M medallist and Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor, Brisbane props Amber Hall and Brianna Clark and rugby union convert Mele Hufanga, the Kiwi Ferns will head into Sunday’s match full of confidence after finding another gear in Tuesday’s 20-6 win over a fired-up England.
Brad Donald’s Jillaroos side, boasting world-class talent and remarkable depth, remain hot favourites and will head into the match full of confidence having racked up the points against Papua New Guinea in the semi-final.
Team News
Jillaroos: Sam Bremner returns at fullback, shifting Emma Tonegato back to the bench, while Evania Pelite and Julia Robinson retain spots in the outside backs alongside star centres Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis. Tarryn Aiken partners Ali Brigginshaw in the halves, while co-captain Kezie Apps joins Yasmin Clydsdale in the back row. Kennedy Cherrington, Lauren Brown and Shaylee Bent join Tonegato on the bench with Holli Wheeler the unlucky player to miss out.
Kiwi Ferns: Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly returns to the side on the wing and will partner Mele Hufanga, who looms as a player to watch for the Kiwi Fern after starring in the semi-final against England. 2022 Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor will start in the halves alongside Abigail Roache, while Charlotte Scanlan and Katelyn Vahaakolo have been named at 18th and 19th players respectively.
