Australia vs. Samoa live score, updates, highlights & lineups from 2021 Rugby League World Cup final

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup final is taking place in Old Trafford. The defending champions Australia are looking to make it three triumphs on the bounce after victories in 2013 and 2017. Samoa are playing in their first-ever final.

Mitchell, Tedesco and Martin score tries for Australia.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final.

Joseph Sua'ali'i slips a pass out and May sees a possible try chalked off. Patrick Carrigan knocks on with a return run for Australia.

Angus Crichton is sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for an elbow on Chanel Harris-Tavita.

May gets the fast shift on down the wing and Australia move to muzzle him fast. Martin and Harry Grant help do the work. Samoa are still in the hunt.

Both teams are back underway. Australia and Samoa are playing each other in a Rugby League World Cup final.

Kevin Sinfield has run from Edinburgh to raise money for motor neurone disease. Heather Small is giving it the beans.

Australia play Samoa in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final. Australia haven't looked as silky as they could have.

Australia are on top in Manchester. They are heading for a third straight world title. Samoa conceded a late goal-line drop-out.

Matt Parish's team are losing the collisions too easily. Cleary's errant efforts off the tee mean two tries could turn the game on its head.

Australia are pushing through Samoa's pack. Taylan May nearly gives Samoa something to cheer about after cutting down the wing himself.

Martin gets his reward for his grunt work, dragging the Kangaroos over for a third try. Cleary misses.

Australia and Samoa are playing a rugby league match. The match is being played in the 28th minute.

Mitchell drops the ball in the last 24 minutes. Samoa escape with a try.

Australia are turning the screw against Samoa. Liam Martin lays a strong platform.

Australia are ahead 10-0 after 18 minutes. Addo-carr scores a try for Australia. Cleary converts.

Latrell Mitchell tries to break the deadlock for Australia, but Cleary misses the conversion.

Kangaroos take a tap-restart on their 20-metre line through skipper James Tedesco and catch Samoa napping. Luai is alert enough to ground the short grubber.

Samoa's play peters out after 8 minutes. Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary are playing against each other at half-back.

Samoa kick early in search of a 40-20 and should legally get one, but James Tedesco's flick back inside to deny from the whitewash is not spotted by the officials.

5 minutes to KO: The national anthems are concluded and Siva Tau, the traditional Samoan war dance is performed.

Samoa and Australia are playing a rugby league match. England are cheering for Samoa. Australia's fans are jeered.

Australia and Samoa are playing each other in the Rugby League World Cup final in 20 minutes. The weather has been good, with cloud cover instead of rain.

Old Trafford is filling up for the Rugby League World Cup final. Australia are playing Samoa.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final. Valentine Holmes is looking to make further history with his try-scoring haul for Australia. Josh Papali'i could make history by winning the trophy with two different nations.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final. There are eight players from the Penrith Panthers team that won this year's NRL Grand Final playing today.

Australia and Samoa are playing at Old Trafford. The match is 40 minutes old. The crowd is in favour of Samoa.

Samoa are playing in the Rugby League World Cup final. Ligi Sao and Tim Lafai were drafted into the Samoa squad after criminal charges and injuries forced a reshuffle for Parish.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final. The game has been dominated by the top tier nations for years.

The closing ceremonies of the Women's Rugby League World Cup are taking place. Australia are champions again after beating New Zealand in the final.

Fa'amanu Brown is out for Samoa with concussion. Martin Taupau will replace him. Australia are unchanged.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final. Australia won the tournament in Newcastle. Samoa finished second in Group A. They beat Tonga in their last-eight match.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the Rugby League World Cup final. Australia won their group and reached the quarter-finals. Samoa won the group.

Australia are defending champions. Samoa are the current runners-up. Australia are chasing their third successive World Cup title.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the Rugby League World Cup final. Australia won the first game by 50 points. Samoa lost the second game.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the Rugby League World Cup final. The tournament has been going on for a month.

Australia and Samoa are playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford.