Rugby League World Cup 2013: Breaking Down New Zealand vs. Australia Final

The final that many predicted would happen in the build-up to this year's Rugby League World Cup is finally a reality, with Australia and New Zealand once again primed for a trans-Tasman encounter.

In a repeat of the 2008 closer, the two Southern Hemisphere titans make their way to Old Trafford this Saturday in a bid to once again establish who's on top of the sport right now and indeed for at least the next four years.

Leading into the fixture, there are a selection of factors that promise to have a big impact on seeing which one of these Australasian inhabitants emerges with the trophy in hand.

 Australia's Smooth Ride Paying Dividends?

 Having opened their World Cup campaign against co-hosts England, no other side had as close an encounter on their hands in the first round than Australia.

However, after coming from behind to beat Steve McNamara's men at the Millennium Stadium, it's been a relatively easy path for the 13-time finalists.

In a way, the low amount of opposition serves as reward for Tim Sheens' side managing to overcome such a stern test in their first match, but it's nonetheless something New Zealand will be aware of.

Whereas the Kiwis only just edged their way past England thanks to a last-minute Shaun Johnson try last weekend, the Kangaroos were more decisive in their 28-20 win and have since gone on to concede just two more points in the tournament.

Stephen Kearney's side, on the other hand, have at times been tested by the likes of Samoa, Papua New Guinea and England, not as easily able to rotate their squad when needed.

It raises the topic of whether it's better to be tried and tested in the build-up to a final or if a softer route is the one best taken, leaving a side in physically good shape for the crescendo.

Saturday's meeting will provide us with some answers as to which is better.

 Wounded Warriors Returning

In a match of this magnitude, both sides need just about every asset they can get their hands on, with the highest of honours in the sport on the line.

As George Riley of BBC Radio says, Australia coach Sheens has named the previously injured Billy Slater in his initial squad, with a decision to be made on his involvement come Saturday:

A massive presence for his team when fit, Australia will be boosted tremendously with the return of Billy Slater, which would allow several other assets to also move back into their preferred positions.

For Kearney, things looked a bit more worrying in terms of injury concerns, but FOX Sports have since confirmed that star wingers Manu Vatuvei and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck should indeed be fit for Old Trafford's final:

The Kiwis will need it, too, if they're to overcome the task ahead of them, Tuivasa-Sheck in particular being an essential figure following his rise to international prominence. 

 Key Battle: Greg Inglis vs. Sonny Bill Williams

Greg Inglis would be the most obvious beneficiary from Slater returning to fitness, allowed to shift back into the centre from the fullback slot occupied against Fiji last weekend.

Although Sonny Bill Williams may not be the man lined up directly opposite him in the squad, it's highly likely that these two find themselves clashing against one another in midfield at Old Trafford.

Right now, this duo both weigh in among those discussions some might have regarding who the best rugby league player in the world is, and it's the kind of praise that's given for good reason.

As talented as the players around them may be, Inglis and Williams more than any others are the players capable of fashioning something out of thin air for their teams and a tremendous head-to-head is scheduled to occur on Saturday.