World Cup final: The one word Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga continues to preach ahead of Samoa clash

The buzzword for Australia at this Rugby League World Cup is "passion". Mal Meninga represented his country four times.

Australia's last game prior to this World Cup was a 2019 defeat to Tonga. It was the first time since 1978 that the Kangaroos had lost to someone other than England/Great Britain or New Zealand. Meninga's team is 12 months later than originally scheduled and they will start at Old Trafford as strong favourites. They will play Samoa on Saturday (Sunday AEDT). Mensena worked closely with the late Bob “Bozo” Fulton on his international appearances and hopes to bring the team together. He wants to become the the only coach since Fulton to win two World Cups.

Samoa will play Australia in the World Cup final. Many of the players were born, raised or developed in Australia schools, junior clubs and NRL sides. Samoans have had street parades championing their players. They have sold out of flags everywhere.

AUSTRALIA'S ROAD TO THE FINAL: Group stages - def Fiji 42-8, def Scotland 84-0, Def Italy 66-6, quarter-final - Def Lebanon 48-4, semi-finals - Def New Zealand 18-16.

England beat Samoa 60-6 in the group stages. Samoa beat Tonga 18-16 in quarter-final and England 27-26 in semi-finals.