Rugby League

Rugby league's highest honour will once again be decided between two of the Southern Hemisphere's titans this weekend when New Zealand and Australia face off at Old Trafford.

Having met back in the 2008 finale, these two nations are well acquainted with one another, but it's the Kangaroos who will be hoping for a change of the result that occurred five years ago.

This Saturday will be Australia's 13th consecutive appearance at the Rugby League World Cup final in a fixture that's sure 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

Viewing Info: BBC One

Stream: BBC Sport website

Tim Sheens' side may have fallen to the Kiwis at the final hurdle in Brisbane five years ago, but head into the upcoming encounter as firm favourites after impressing greatly in this year's tournament thus far.

Since their 28-20 opening victory over England, Australia have conceded just two points in their following four fixtures while scoring 210 of their own.

With the likes of Manu Vatuvei, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sonny Bill Williams and Shaun Johnson, Stephen Kearney's side has at its disposal some of the finest flair players in the sport right now.

However, the difference between the two outfits is that while the Kiwis are lucky to possess several key stars in their squad, it's difficult to pick out any one area in the Australian side as a weak point. 

In 2008, it was Australia's own profligacy and tendency to waste good attacking possession that ultimately led to their shock defeat, but those same mistakes are unlikely to be made a second time around.

One extremely important return for the Kangaroos is Billy Slater at fullback, who George Riley of BBC Radio says is in line for a return to the line-up, pending a final check on match day:

Provided Slater is back in the team, Greg Inglis would then be allowed to move into the centres and revive his extremely talented partnership alongside Johnathan Thurston, where some serious damage could be done.

New Zealand will be hopeful of upsetting their Australasia rivals for the second time at this junction, but the ANZAC Test from April of this year was an indicator that Australia remain ahead of the curve, winning on that occasion 32-12.

In the end, however, it's often on occasions such as these that anything can unfold, but Kearney's men undoubtedly face an uphill struggle if they're to win back-to-back Rugby League World Cups.

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.

Once again, the world's finest have been whittled down to the two most prominent nations in the sport, with New Zealand and Australia set to stage a repeat of 2008's Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford on Saturday.

New Zealand staged a surprise in stripping the Kangaroos of their world title five years ago, but Tim Sheens' men are likely to be a lot more aware of the challenge this time around. 

Saturday's final brings together the two sides many had tipped to make it this far in the tournament, but predicting the outcome of New Zealand vs. Australia is far more difficult as we prepare for a show-stopping finale.

Prediction 1	Prediction 2	Prediction 3
Jarryd Hayne Scores Two Tries in 80 Minutes	Australia Enjoy 60 Percent Possession	Final Score: Australia 28-20 New Zealand

Bold Predictions

Jarryd Hayne Finishes In Double Digits

As things stand, Jarryd Hayne is the top try scorer in this year's Rugby League World Cup, having already crossed the whitewash nine times in his four matches thus far, averaging more than two scores per game.

Although the utility back wasn't a part of Sheens' lineup for the tournament opener against England, Hayne has since grabbed a hold of his opportunity with both hands, capitalising astutely on his chance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi2K51no7S8

Since then, the 25-year-old has started every game for Australia, scoring seven tries in his last two fixtures—four against the United States and another hat-trick in the 64-0 demolition of Fiji.

England found a lot of their luck came through the central channels over the weekend with the likes of Sam Burgess and Kallum Watkins getting on the ends of chances created right through the middle.

Depending on where Hayne lines up, the fullback-cum-centre-cum-winger will find that his 10th try and perhaps more come against the Kiwis. 

Prediction: Hayne to score two tries in 80 minutes.

New Zealand Struggle to Get a Grip

As devastating as Australia can be when hitting their opponents with fast, fast-paced rugby, it's the possession, or lack thereof, that can often prove to be the undoing of their opponents.

As much as anything else, the Kangaroos are experts in slow buildup play, confident enough to tuck the ball under for long stretches and frustrate their enemies for long bouts of time without so much as a sniff of the ball.

New Zealand have grown as a rugby league power in recent years, but they still can't match their Australasia cousins when it comes to possession and confidence for longer spells.

Prediction: Australia enjoy 60 percent of possession.

Australia Reclaim Their World Title

After making their 13th consecutive Rugby League World Cup final, Australia will make up for the wrongs of 2008 and take back the title that was so mercilessly ripped from their grasp in Brisbane five years ago.

Sheens' outfit have been nothing short of dominant over the last four weeks and the difference in which the two teams overcame England in their respective encounters serves as evidence of their gulf in ability.

Stephen Kearney has fast-paced and explosive talents in abundance, but Australia combine that talent with pragmatic and calm strategy, making them an altogether more calculated beast.

It's been a long five-year wait for Australia, but 2013 marks the year they get back on top.

Prediction: Australia 28-20 New Zealand

This year's Rugby League World Cup final will again bring together the Southern Hemisphere's two biggest nations in a bid to decide which of Australia and New Zealand reign supreme.

Both sides bring an amazing wealth of NRL talent into the fixture and promise to put on another fine display, having met in the 2008 final of the Rugby League World Cup.

On that occasion, it was the Kiwis who managed to claim a surprise win over their Australasian rivals, but Tim Sheens' men will be all the more eager to redeem themselves as a result.

With only the best line-ups in the sport left in the struggle, read on for a breakdown of some key head-to-head battles that should unfold.

Greg Inglis vs. Kevin Locke

Greg Inglis hasn't yet been the live wire that many might have expected would come to this year's Rugby League World Cup, but he has already managed two tries in his appearances thus far.

If the South Sydney Rabbitohs' star were ever to pick a moment in pulling his best form together, however, now would be it as his side near their competition climax.

Against his stocky frame is the presence of Kevin Locke, who has himself been out of sorts and is yet to register even one try at this tournament.

Locke was unnerved at times against the English at Wembley and showed that his lines can be penetrated, something that Inglis is yet to really display at this World Cup, but there's a first time for everything.

Greg Bird vs. Sonny Bill Williams

Another Greg in Sheens' squad with a big weekend ahead of him is second-row Greg Bird, who again leads his team as they head into the crescendo of this year's symphony.

However, the greatest task ahead of Sheens' forward figure lies in caging the irrepressible Sonny Bill Williams, a man he'll need to track at Old Trafford with some efficiency.

Combining with his backs, Bird will be expected to not only nullify the SBW threat, but also to continue posing one of his own and possibly even add to his try tally, which currently stands at two, while Williams has managed three of his own.

Johnathan Thurston vs. Kieran Foran

It's no secret that Australia boast one of the finest league rosters in the world, and among that roster, Johnathan Thurston ranks as one of the most pivotal stars.

So far in this Rugby League World Cup, the veteran's link-up play with Inglis has sometimes been a marvel to admire, but one final push is needed from the Kangaroos' leader.

No stranger to this kind of occasion, Thurston will be more accustomed to the pressure than Kieran Foran, but the Kiwis' stand-off will have every confidence that he's capable of tempering his opposite man. He has to.

The two games were complete opposites in terms of the balance of play. While New Zealand required a last-minute try to edge past England in the first game of the Wembley double-header, Australia ran out a convincing 64-0 victory over Fiji.

Come next weekend's final, though, those results will be meaningless—as England's near miss against heavy favourites New Zealand showed.

For the final, England will be underdogs with the bookmakers and deservedly so, with Australia 1/3 favourites with Skybet. It is understandable that they should be considered the fancied side, having reached 13 consecutive finals at the tournament.

Revenge will also be a factor. New Zealand secured a 34-20 victory over the Kangaroos in Brisbane at the last competition in 2008, winning their first-ever World Cup title.

That defeat will still be fresh in the memories of many of the Australia players, and given the immaculate nature of their progression to the final so far, it is fair to say that they plan on setting the record straight.

Prediction: Australia 23-18 New Zealand

We are in for a cracking final, whichever side should emerge victorious. With a repeat of the past final set to stir the emotions, as well as the existing trans-Tasman rivalry, both sides will be keen to ensure their rival is left with little cause for joy post-match.

The matchup in the centres will take the pre-match headlines. Australia's Brett Morris is the top yardage maker at the tournament, while opposite number Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has eight tries to his name.

Add in the experienced Greg Inglis, as well as Kiwi Dean Whare, and it becomes clear that the battle between the quartet could be decisive.

Tuivasa-Sheck and Whare are perhaps more creative, but the Australian duo have a solidity to their all-round game that will be tough for New Zealand to break down.

Sonny Bill Williams, aiming to become the first dual-code World Cup winner, will be another New Zealander under the microscope, but he will find tough-tackling second row Greg Bird a real handful as he tries to create chances with his terrific handling skills.

Australia look to be the form side and have no shortage of motivation ahead of the clash. Given those factors, as well as their status as favourites, they are the more likely winners—but any victory will be by no more than six or eight points.

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

England lost an absolute classic to New Zealand, while Australia overcame a tough Fiji side to decide the two teams who will face off in the final at Old Trafford on November 30.

England	18	20	New Zealand
Tries: O'Loughlin, Watkins, Burgess			Tries: Tuivasa-Sheck (2), Johnson
Conversions: Linfield (2)			Conversions: Johnson (2)
Penalties: Linfield			Penalties: Johnson (2)

In the first of Wembley's two semi-finals, England were arguably the better side across the 80 minutes, but occasional errors eventually combined to sink their World Cup hopes.

New Zealand brought their trademark physicality to the game, but England matched them the whole way, putting up a series of bruising defensive stands and presenting the All-Blacks with a wall of white.

The home side had a few chances to seal the victory, with Ryan Hall missing two chances to hit clear space and claim four points.

The first came on 65 minutes, when Hall found daylight and broke free, but his balance let him down and he stumbled to the ground untackled at the 20-yard line.

If that wasn't enough, he intercepted an errant New Zealand pass with under two minutes left in the game. With nothing in front of him but empty space, he was unable to hold on to the ball, and it fell to his feet. Hall's expletive-filled scream of despair said it all.

Up by four points, that try would have left New Zealand requiring two of their own to win the game.

In such a close battle, there was no real turning point until the final minute of the game. New Zealand had six tackles to win the game, and England kept them pinned back with three solid stops. 

On fourth tackle, George Burgess lunged at Sonny Bill Williams in a manner that suggested a very tired man. The tackle was high, and New Zealand were granted another six opportunities to win the game.

Shaun Johnson supplied a quick moment of magic and breezed past two tackles to take the ball over the line. He duly converted his own try to take New Zealand through in one of the best games of rugby the league has ever seen.

Australia	64	0	Fiji
Tries: Thurston, Boyd (2), Cronk, Hayne (3), Papalii, Tamou, Morris, Fifita
Conversions: Thurston (11)
Penalties:

Australia went into the second semi-final with hopes of repeating the 52-0 beating of Fiji that they inflicted in 2008, but first they had to start solidly.

Fiji came at Australia from the outset, befitting their status as physical players. Although their strength is a positive for them, their technical deficiencies were on display from the outset.

When Johnathan Thurston—who scored a hat trick in the victory mentioned above—sold a dummy pass and breezed through the Fiji defence, it was clear that this game would be much less evenly matched than the one preceding it.

That was just eight minutes into the contest, but already the floodgates were open. 

Australia went over again just three minutes later, but were denied when video referee Ben Thaler judged that the contact on Akuila Uate by Brent Tate was excessive.

Not to be dissuaded, Australia burst through four minutes later for a try, then again three minutes after that. 

It was a dream start for the Kangaroos, helped in equal part by their own skill and Fiji's inability to respond. After 35 minutes, Australia were up 28-0 and the game was over.

From that moment on, it was just a question of how many point would be scored as Mexican waves made their way around Wembley.

The pressure was on Fiji from the moment Thurston put the first points on the board, and after that their opponents were in complete command. The final score of 64-0 came as a triumph for Australia and a massive relief for Fiji.

England lost a heartbreaking encounter with New Zealand at Wembley in a game that will linger in the memory for a very long time.

England	18	20	New Zealand
Tries: O'Loughlin, Watkins, Burgess			Tries: Tuivasa-Sheck (2), Johnson
Conversions: Linfield (2)			Conversions: Johnson (2)
Penalties: Linfield			Penalties: Johnson (2)

The hosts survived an early period that saw them forced back into their own half for the opening minutes. However, inspired by a remarkable defensive stand that saw Sam Tomkins and James Charnley offer strong resistance, the crowd got behind the hosts and England began to make progress in attack.

New Zealand started to look a little rattled, and England took full advantage when James Graham and Sam Burgess broke powerfully through and offloaded the ball to Sean O'Loughlin to go through for a try.

Burgess added to his already strong reputation with a quick step past Elijah Taylor and earned a penalty, which Kevin Sinfield put over.

New Zealand were suddenly all over the place and in need of a miracle to get some momentum back. Luckily, Dean Whare obliged with one of the passes of the tournament.

The All Blacks were attempting to keep the drive going on sixth tackle, but the ball looked to be going out when Whare chased it down, leapt to grab it, stayed in touch and somehow flipped the ball to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to create a try out of nowhere.

It's the sort of thing you see in the NBA but not often in rugby. New Zealand were back in the game, but the feeling persisted that those sorts of moments would again be necessary to break England down.

Instead of rallying New Zealand, it instead seemed to inspire England to new heights.

Again led by Sam Burgess, the home side continued to match their opponents physically, wearing the defence down with powerful drives and pinning them back in their own half.

Despite this pressure, England failed to capitalise and New Zealand drew level through a penalty for an infringement by George Burgess.

It was a breathless first half that ended with both teams going into the tunnel with eight points each.

The second half began in much the same way as the first, with the Kiwis aggressive in attack and forcing England to remain strong in defence. Sonny Bill Williams caused all sorts of problems and England could only deal with him in groups of four or five.

Unlike the first half, however, the home side couldn't contain the onslaught and Tuivasa-Sheck broke through a weak Ryan Hall tackle to go over.

Small consolation for England came when Shaun Johnson missed the conversion, but they now had to play from behind for the first time in the game.

In order to do this, however, they had to get into the New Zealand half. Williams kept hammering the defence and it was only a desperate defensive stand that kept Tuivasa-Sheck from getting his hat-trick.

England continued to hold their line and withstood the tide to get back into the game.

A series of penalties conceded threatened to hold them back, but Sinfield marshalled his side into Kiwi territory and played Kallum Watkins in for the try.

Sinfield's influence failed to extend to his conversion, however, which sailed wide of the upright.

England kept pressing, Sinfield again at the heart of everything. With just under 15 minutes to go, Hall suddenly found daylight and ran up the left touchline with four points within his grasp. Unfortunately, he fell with 20 yards to go and fate suddenly seemed to frown on England.

As is commonplace in such classic encounters, there was more drama to come.

Immediately after, Sam Burgess was presented with an opportunity that he held on to, surging through after more solid work by Sinfield. No one was going to stop him and he ran over a tackle to cross the line and give England the lead.

Sinfield converted and there were four points and 14 minutes between England and a World Cup final.

England defended everything New Zealand threw at them until a high tackle on Williams with 50 seconds to play granted the All-Blacks another six tackles with which to attack.

Johnson was the man to benefit, skipping past two tackles and diving over the line to level the score. He converted his own try under immense pressure to send New Zealand through to the final with seconds to spare.

England can be very proud of the way they played but will be bitterly disappointed with the half chances missed and the penalty that eventually gave the game away.

The semi-finals of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup are upon us and that means we should now be left with the creme de la creme of the 13-man game competing for the overall crown.

England take on tournament favourites New Zealand in the first semi-final before Australia attempt to maintain their exceptional record of having reached every World Cup final since 1957 when they take on Fiji.

The two trans-Tasmanian giants will head into the encounters as favourites, but could there be a shock in store? Such big games can be settled on moments of individual genius, but who are each side's key players to watch out for in the coming games?

4. Akuila Uate (Fiji)

Flying winger Uate will need to perform if the South Sea Islanders are to achieve success against Australia—the country in which he has spent his entire professional career.

A lightning burst in the opening minutes of quarter-final success over Samoa sent away Aaron Groom for the first try of the encounter, showing the devastating nature of his attacking play.

Overlooked for selection by Australia, who he has represented in the past, he will hope to show the Kangeroos exactly what could have been.

Fiji will find chances limited against what is undoubtedly a stronger all-round team, but if Uate and the likes of Mariko Koroibete can break the line when in possession, they could put the favourites under real pressure.

3. Sam Burgess (England)

South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Burgess will have the unenviable task of dealing with Kiwi star Sonny Bill Williams on Saturday—a clash that the Courier Mail's Paul Crawley describes as having "captivated the rugby world this year."

Former England great Gary Schofield said of the clash to the Sydney Morning Herald:

If I were [England coach] Steve McNamara, I would detail Sam Burgess to man-mark Williams and follow him everywhere. Burgess has the physical presence to rattle Williams and wrap him up.

If Williams is put off his game and starts to square up to Burgess, he could lose focus and neglect his teammates. But if England can't put the shackles on Williams he will cause havoc out wide with clean breaks and those magical passes to his support players.

If he is kept out of the game as much as possible, England have a chance. If not, we'll come up short again.

Burgess responded from a suspension for a poor tackle earlier in the tournament to play an important role in England's progression to this stage but will be expected to show all of his experience on the big stage.

His man-to-man clash with Williams will be key to success, but can he stop New Zealand's dual-code phenomenon?

2. Brett Morris (Australia)

Australian centre Brett Morris has been exceptional at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, crossing the line on six occasions for his side in just four games.

He has the best average gain of any player at the competition, making an average of 13 metres with each run while also remaining solid in his defensive work.

He will need to remain strong in that aspect against the flying Fijians, who will make Australia pay for any missed tackles that occur at Wembley.

Morris has had a brilliant tournament thus far, with his destructive running and 14 tackle busts putting him among the very best players at the competition.

1. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)

New Zealand's big-name star, Williams leads the way in terms of offloads at the tournament—having completed 13 passes out of the tackle.

Burgess will be the man out to stop him on Saturday and with good reason—the Union World Cup winner has both scored and assisted three tries at the tournament.

If he can help his side to victory in the next two games, he will cement his place in rugby folklore as a world champion in both forms of the game—as well as New Zealand's leading heavyweight boxer.

He is a unique talent, whose combination of enormous bulk and incredible skill place him among the very best in the sport's history. 

Centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been sensational at the tournament, making more metres than any other player. Sonny Bill, though, is the maverick talent who can produce the required moments of magic at this stage of the competition.

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup is rapidly coming to an end.

With just three games to go, two of which are sure to be fiercely competitive semifinal fixtures, it's time to predict who will be competing for glory at Old Trafford on Nov. 30.

Can England upset the odds and delight the home fans with a spot in the final? Will Fiji triumph over an Australia side that beat them 34-2 earlier in the competition? Let's take a look at how Nov. 23's clashes are sure to pan out.

Semi-final Predictions

New Zealand vs. England

Group B	New Zealand 42-24 Samoa
Group B	New Zealand 40-0 France
Group B	New Zealand 56-10 Papua New Guinea
Quarterfinal	New Zealand 40-4 Scotland
Average Score:	New Zealand 45-10 Opponent

It would take a foolish man to bet against New Zealand in this one. While England have recovered well from their opening-day defeat against Australia, there has been no evidence to suggest Steve McNamara's men can halt the tournament's most prolific attack.

The English coach has invited pressure on his team with the decision to drop Rangi Chase.

As reported by Ash Howes of The Telegraph, McNamara is likely to live or die by his decision to replace the half-back—who hasn't performed particularly well during the tournament—with Gareth Widdop of Melbourne Storm.

New Zealand must be buoyed by the change and will look to penetrate a defence that hasn't been in complete tandem throughout the competition.

Fiji will have been pleased with the 12 they scored against the co-hosts, but with the Kiwis currently averaging a score of 45 across each match, England's gameplan needs to build upon an improved defensive performance.

McNamara's side will be boosted by the absence of Manu Vatuvei. The winger has been ruled out of the clash with a groin injury and will have no chance of repeating the four tries he scored during a group game against England in 2008, per Sky Sports.

Group A	Australia 28-20 England
Group A	England 42-0 Ireland
Group A	England 34-12 Fiji
Quarterfinal	England 34-6 France
Average Score:	England 33-12 Opponent

Even so, with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Bryson Goodwin in the New Zealand side, England's performance will have to be historic to knock the current holders out of the competition.

Prediction: New Zealand 32-16 England

Australia vs. Fiji

Group A	Australia 28-20 England
Group A	Australia 34-2 Fiji
Group A	Australia 50-0 Ireland
Quarterfinal	Australia 62-0 USA
Average Score:	Australia 44-6 Opponent

If it's foolish to bet against New Zealand, it's downright lunacy to suggest Australia won't move beyond Fiji for a place in the final.

The Aussies have already thrashed their upcoming opponents this competition and will be looking to tackle their old Kiwi foes in the final, as they have done for the last two tournaments.

Although the gap between Australia and many of the World Cup nations is steep, Tim Sheens' side have already proven they can comfortably beat quality during this year's tournament.

The defeat of England in the opening round provided the side with a decent gauge of their effectiveness, but since then, Australia have barely been tested.

Group A	Fiji 32-14 Ireland
Group A	Australia 34-2 Fiji
Group A	England 34-12 Fiji
Quarterfinal	Samoa 4-22 Fiji
Average Score	Fiji 17-22 Opponent

Fiji's route to the semi-final has actually seen them rack up a negative average score and highlights the inconsistency within the team. Although they possess enough guile and ambition to attack strong nations, the defensive output is weak and liable to crumble in matches with the best.

There's only so much Akuila Uate can do on his own, as we'll see in the Wembley Stadium tie.

Prediction: Australia 42-8 Fiji