Live updates: Australia v England, Rugby League World Cup final

Cameron Smith of Australia. Photo / Getty

Follow live updates as Australia host England in the Rugby League World Cup final.

Five Factors That Will Decide The Rugby League World Cup Final

Kangaroos Defence

Australia's impenetrable defence has been the backbone of their World Cup defence - they given up just 16 points on their way to the decider. The try they let through in last week's semi-final win over Fiji was the first time their line had been breached in more than three hours.

Holmes vs McGillvary

Valentine Holmes became the first Kangaroos player to score six tries in one game in their semi-final win, giving him a tournament-high 12 tries. But he faces an intriguing individual battle against Jermaine McGillvary, who is the only player to crack 1000m in the tournament.

Ruck Battle

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga made the peculiar decision to complain about the policing of the ruck following their pool rout of Lebanon. England counterpart Wayne Bennett publicly pulled the same trick ahead of the final before Meninga hit back similarly on match eve.

Weight of History

Australia have won 12 straight against England dating to 1995 but Great Britain did upset the Kangaroos in their most recent match in 2006. Australia also haven't won a World Cup on home soil since 1977. England haven't won the Cup since 1972.

Fatigue Factor

Meninga admitted seeing signs of fatigue despite Australia easily accounting of Fiji in their semi-final, which followed an energy-sapping quarter-final win over Samoa in Darwin. England have had their own recovery battles, including trips to Perth and Auckland.