After one bloody long, but equally awesome World Cup it comes down to the usual match up between the Kangaroos and Kiwis. Unlike in years gone by, I genuinely believe that the Kiwis are not underdogs and that both teams are on a level pegging going in to the match. No one knows whether playing a tough match or an easy one is better preparation for the final and it's pointless to even try figure that one out. When placing your bets, just go on instinct as the more you think about it, the more you'll just confuse yourself.

While cruising towards the final, the Kangaroos have been able to fine tune combinations and play guys in to form. Jarryd Hayne being a prime example. Used at centre for the last few games, he has been able to dominate and build his confidence which is obviously a worry for the Kiwis. Who knows whether he will line up in the centres or on the wing, that will depend on the health of Billy Slater but either way there will be a Hayne Plane flying around with a fuel tank full of confidence. 

The Kangaroos forward won't intimidate the Kiwis. This should worry Tim Sheens, but he'll have a plan. My guess is that there'll be plenty of speed and movement around the centre of the field to get the big boppers in black and white shuffling around. England also exposed the Kiwis by shifting the ball wide, early. Given their strength out wide, I'd imagine that the Kangaroos might employ a similar tactic with a bit of a tweak. Getting blokes like Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Corey Parker, Josh Papalii and Andrew Fifita running plenty of angles through the middle, causing havoc. After establishing this, expect the edges to get plenty of ball to test out the Kiwi centres with Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk setting up elaborate plays to target a Kiwi defender. I've heard some whispers that Simon Mannering will play at centre to toughen that edge defence. I hope this doesn't happen as the Kiwis need to dominate the middle first and Mannering looks fantastic defending at lock.

The Kiwis will rely heavily on their forwards to rumble through the Aussies and execute the little bits and pieces that result in a quick play the ball. Falling on your stomach is the aim and this is achieved by having two or three attackers ready to receive a pass so defenders can't gang up on the ball runner. This is ultimately what the Kiwis game plan will be about. Big boppers running hard with plenty of men in support whether it be Kevin Locke/Josh Hoffman and Isaac Luke or another forward, it doesn't matter as long as men are pushing up with the ball runner. 

Isaac Luke is the second most important player on the field for the Kiwis. He has been the player of the tournament, scooting out of dummy half causing chaos and making defenders look like fools. I have been having visions of Luke scooping the ball up, running in behind the ruck, leaving James Tamou or some other Aussie joker in his wake. Let's hope this happens, a lot.

The most important player/s will be the halves - their first equal. Bluey McClennan said that he didn't do any crazy motivating speeches before their Four Nations victory, he just focused his team on winning the possession and territory stats. This is where Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran will have to step up because we all know that Thurston, Cronk and Cam Smith will be ensuring that the Kiwis are always under pressure with a quality kicking game. We haven't seen a complete performance from these lads where they are kicking long, finding open space or getting plenty of repeat sets with no easy let up on attack. They are more than capable of this, we just haven't seen it yet - especially with Johnson.

Lastly, at the time of writing this, I have no idea whether Manu Vatuvei, Frank Pritchard or Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play. As a Kiwi, I really hope they do. They can all bend the line and each offer so much with their individual skill sets. The Kiwi medical staff have their work cut out for them.

I'm not going to make a prediction as it will be very bias - the Kiwis will win. Games like this don't come around too often with international footy rarely played in stadiums like Old Trafford in front of such a crazy crowd. We as rugby league fans are starved of games like this, so win or loose just enjoy it. No doubt the media will be quick to talk about Sonny Bill Williams whether the Kiwis win or loose, but try to just enjoy seeing OUR lads on the international stage against OUR great enemy playing the great game.