Rugby League World Cup 2013 Final: Preview for Australia vs. New Zealand

In a repeat of 2008's Rugby League World Cup final, Australia and New Zealand will once again meet at the closing stage of this year's tournament as the Southern Hemisphere teams keep their grasp of the sport.

Holders New Zealand squeezed by England at Wembley on Saturday thanks to some Shaun Johnson magic in the dying embers of their capital clash, while the Kangaroos' semi-final thumping of Fiji was a far less laboured affair.

Heading into Saturday's competition climax at Old Trafford, read on for a preview of what promises to be an Old Trafford clash to remember from two giants south of the equator.

Australia Player to Watch: Jarryd Hayne

Having scored a hat-trick in the 64-0 demolition of Fiji, Jarryd Hayne is a man in form at the moment and will be hoping to make the difference again this weekend when even more is on the line.

With those three scores, the 25-year-old has crept into the lead as the tournament's top try scorer and will once again shoulder much of the attacking responsibility for the Aussies.

Dean Whare and Bryson Goodwin will be the two tasked with ensuring Hayne's impact is minimal, but the New Zealand centre partnership did show signs of weakness against England over the weekend.

Hayne's combination of fleet evasion tactics and crash ball capability promise to cause issues for any side when utilised properly and the 25-year-old will most definitely rank among New Zealand's biggest concerns.

New Zealand Player to Watch: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

No player has scored more tries for the Kiwis this year than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who crossed over twice at Wembley on Saturday to keep his New Zealand side in the mix against Steve McNamara's England.

Though this year' Rugby League World Cup is flooded with fine wing talents, the Sydney Rooster starlet ranks among the best already and is still just 20 years of age.

Noted as much for his flair as anything else, the Kangaroos defence will know all too quickly Tuivasa-Sheck's sting if they choose to give him the space, but one might doubt that the Australians will open up as easily as any other team the Kiwis have beaten thus far.

Prediction: Australia 28-18 New Zealand