Rugby League World Cup 2013: New Zealand vs. Australia Prediction and Preview

Saturday's clash between Australia and New Zealand brings two of rugby league's biggest powers on to the battlefield once again in what promises to be a blockbuster repeat of the 2008 finale.

With the NRL superstars out in force, the Kangaroos are looking to redeem themselves after losing to the Kiwis five years ago in what will be their 13th consecutive appearance on the grandest of this sport's stages.

Ahead of the encounter, read on for all the match details, preview and prediction of a clash that's certain to go down in the history books.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 30

Time: 2:30 p.m. local time (GMT)/9:30 a.m. ET

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

Australia X-Factor Player: Billy Slater

Having appeared to have recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of last weekend's semi-final, Billy Slater is reported by BBC Sport as being in Tim Sheens' starting 13 for Saturday's Old Trafford final.

The 30-year-old's presence at full-back is a big relief for the Kangaroos, who will look to provide their Melbourne Storm star with the tools necessary in improving upon his try count, currently standing at two scores.

In his decade spent in Victoria, Slater has scored more than 150 NRL tries for the Storm and is easily one of his country's most potent attacking influences, enabling the likes of Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston to perform at their best thanks to his solid groundwork in midfield.

As long as the aggravated knee injury is kept at bay, the veteran speedster will be of vital importance to Australia's hopes of reclaiming their world title this weekend.

New Zealand X-Factor Player: Simon Mannering

All eyes have been on Sonny Bill Williams over the past month, but it's New Zealand's lock star Simon Mannering who's bound to have his own impact on just who emerges triumphant from Saturday's head-to-head.

Stephen Kearney's captain has been an astute leader throughout the tournament thus far, appearing in four of his nation's matchups and scoring just one less try than his forward pack partner.

Mannering is now a seven-year veteran of the Kiwis' squad and was a part of the team that stunned the world by winning the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Now, this time on English shores, the 27-year-old will seek to continue asserting his physical presence in the loose, but also provide teammates with the leadership figure that's often so crucial in fixtures of this magnitude.

Prediction: Australia 34-26 New Zealand—Australia win the Rugby League World Cup