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Australia coach Mal Meninga downplayed his side's favourites tag this week, saying: "I wouldn't say they're massive underdogs.

"They've played really good rugby league. It's not how you start a tournament, it's how you finish. They played really well against the English and deserve to be here. We're not underestimating them.

"We've got full respect for them. We need to prepare well and be at our best to win it. To play Samoa in the final is a great testimony to the way the game has been developed.

"The expectation is that we are expected to win all the time. That is the burden we carry but we still play with the passion and commitment that is part of being Australian."

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Surprise World Cup finalists Samoa will run out at Old Trafford with an emotional message from Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson ringing in their ears as they look to topple Australia.

The Rock spoke of the pride in his Samoan heritage during a powerful speech to his 348 million followers on Instagram as he urged the Pacific Island minnows to use “grit” and seize the opportunity to create a legacy.

“When I think about legacy, I think about my grandfather, I think about my dad, the soul man Rocky Johnson,” he said.

“I think about my grandparents. All my ancestors, all your ancestors. Our ancestors are watching.”

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Samoa, who are likely to field a number of players from NRL Grand Final winners Penrith Panthers, are hoping to become only the fourth nation to win the competition, joining Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand.

While a small contingent of fans celebrated wildly after their semi-final triumph at Emirates Stadium, the players have been buoyed by the reaction to their progress among the nation's 200,000 population back home.

"It is special," said captain Junior Paulo. "We have been able to see it via social media and how special it is to the fans and it is probably part of the reason why we chose to represent Samoa. It is one of the proudest achievements."

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

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While Samoa men's captain Junior Paulo is relishing going toe-to-toe with his Parramatta Eels team-mate Reagan Campbell-Gillard in an explosive and bruising forwards clash, fireworks will also be expected from the backs.

Australia captain James Tedesco, arguably the best full-back in the world, lines up directly opposite Samoa's teenage prodigy Joseph Suaalii, a club-mate and the man tipped to take over that role one day at the Sydney Roosters.

"He's [Suaalii] such a freakish athlete," said Kangaroos stand-off Cameron Munster. "He's got so much ability, he can do anything and I'm scratching my head that he's still only 19.

"He's got a big future, but hopefully not on Saturday. We'll try our best to nullify him but he has no fear when he's running the ball back."

Samoa head coach Matt Parish: "We believed from day one that we wanted to be here. We've improved every week and we need to improve again today.

"We need to bring our best. We've played really well this week. We know we have an enourmous job ahead but we're looking forward to it.

"They have dangerous players but we have pretty good players as well."

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A week ago England fell to a shock semi-final defeat as Samoa won a golden-point thriller.

Stephen Crichton's drop-goal saw the England players slump to the ground after the sides could not be separated at the end of 80 minutes.

The host nation thrashed Samoa 60-6 in the tournament opener less than a month earlier, but Matt Parish's side exacted a sweet revenge at Emirates Stadium.

Stephen Crichton's second try had seen the Pacific Islanders lead 26-20 in a gripping finale before Herbie Farnworth's second try and a Tommy Makinson conversion took the contest into extra time.

Here are the highlights, if you can bare to face them...

Australia coach Mal Meninga hailed "one of the best Test matches I have been involved in" as the defending champions sneaked past New Zealand in a breathtaking semi-final to reach their 15th consecutive Rugby League World Cup final.

In a tight and tense contest, New Zealand went ahead through Jahrome Hughes and although the lightning-quick Josh Addo-Carr and Valentine Holmes responded for Australia, Dylan Brown's try gave the Kiwis a 14-10 half-time lead.

Peta Hiku's effort was ruled out for offside at the start of the second half and New Zealand were made to pay as Cameron Murray burrowed over from close range, which ultimately proved crucial.

Australia controlled much of the second period but it looked like they might have lost the contest with seven minutes remaining when Hiku touched down in the corner, but he was ruled to be in touch as the holders scraped through.

Australia's winger Josh Addo-Carr equalled Valentine Holmes' record of most tries in a single tournament (12) and can claim it outright at Old Trafford.

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Dave Woods
BBC Rugby League correspondent

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As Samoa's Stephen Crichton lined up his history-making drop-goal in last Saturday's World Cup semi-final, 2.4 million people held their breath while watching it unfold on BBC One.

It's the biggest TV audience rugby league has had in this country since Shaun Johnson was side-stepping New Zealand to victory in the last seconds of the 2013 World Cup semi-final at Wembley.

For the record, 2.6 million were watching at that moment nine years ago.

We can only wonder how many more would have tuned in for an England final against Australia - this week, or back then.

Don't think about it for too long. The missed opportunities make for torturous contemplation.

Mal Meninga, Australia head coach, speaking to BBC One: “We came through last week's bruising encounter against the Kiwis and we’re in fine spirits at the moment.

"It did us some good to have a pressure game and make better decisions. We’ve worked on things we can improve on through the week. Our prep’s been excellent. I’m looking forward to today’s game.

"Pressure’s part of playing in finals. Samoa will have pressure too, they’ll want to play their best game. There’ll be a lot of internal pressure as well. We want to play our best game today too.”

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

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A head-to-head encounter between Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai stands out among several intriguing sub-plots to Australia's meeting with Samoa.

The half-back combination is regarded as the heartbeat of NRL Grand Final winners Penrith Panthers but they will be on opposing sides for the first time since their junior days.

And there will be no room for sentiment or friendship once the action gets under way, with Luai known for his ability to antagonise his opponents.

"He talks a fair bit but that's what makes Luai so good," said Samoa team-mate Jaydn Su'a. "He is a competitor and he doesn't like to lose. Until the final whistle blows, he will be into you."

Luai's mercurial running and handling skills have taken him to three man-of-the-match awards in five games and he is a dangerous albeit familiar opponent for Cleary, who has emerged as a first choice for Australia coach Mal Meninga during the tournament.

Still only 25, Cleary's exceptional kicking and passing game has led to comparisons with Australian greats of the past such as Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk and he will be keen not to give an inch in this pivotal duel.

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Defending champions Australia are aiming to win a third consecutive World Cup today.

Australia are 11-time winners of the competition, while Samoa, who beat England in the last four, are making their bow in the showpiece match.

The Kangaroos, who have appeared in every final since 1957, go into the contest as overwhelming favourites against the Pacific Islanders, who they defeated 46-0 in the 2017 quarter-finals and 66-10 in their only other World Cup meeting in 2000.

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Meninga has stuck with the squad that secured a gripping 16-14 semi-final victory over New Zealand in Leeds.

Meanwhile, Samoa coach Matt Parish is forced to make one change to the side that claimed a dramatic 27-26 golden-point win over England at Emirates Stadium.

Former Featherstone hooker Fa'manu Brown, who deputised for an absent Danny Levi in the semi-final, is ruled out by concussion protocols so utility player Chanel Harris-Tavita steps into the dummy-half role.

This game will mark the farewell appearance of Harris-Tavita, who has announced his intention to take a break from, external the game after the World Cup.

Australia are unchanged...

BBC One

We're live on BBC One, for this men's final.

Build-up has just got under way and if you're in the UK you can stream all the action by pressing the play icon at the top of this page.

Hello to everyone joining us from the Women's Rugby League final live text.

Earlier, Australia produced a superb display to thrash New Zealand as they claimed a record-equalling third Women's World Cup triumph at Old Trafford.

The Jillaroos, unbeaten since 2016, have now won the last three tournaments to equal the milestone set by the Kiwi Ferns between 2000-2008.

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It's the final final.

We started the Rugby League World Cup over a month ago on October 15 with England men smashing Samoa 60-6 and Australia beating Fiji 42-8.

Now holders Australia face underdogs Samoa, in their first ever final.

Who will make history today at the Theatre of Dreams?