>
Everything you need to know about the Rugby League World Cup final: when it’s, how to watch it – and why the Aussies are gearing up for a VERY hostile crowd
- Samoa’s historic run to the final comes to a head on Sunday morning
- Giant-killing island nation will clash with Australia at Manchester’s Old Trafford
- Match cannot be seen on free-to-air TV; Kangaroos brace themselves for booing
Samoa suffered one of the biggest setbacks in rugby league history when they beat England to win the World Cup final this weekend – and now the eyes of football fans around the world will be glued to their clash with Australia.
The deciding game of the tournament is scheduled to start at 3:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday at Manchester’s historic Old Trafford ground, marking a 2:00 AM start for fans in Queensland.
This year’s tournament can be seen exclusively on Fox Sports, and all the action is also available through Fox’s Kayo streaming service.
Samoa is the first second country – and only the sixth country ever – to play in a cup decider, and they are heartened by the news that skipper Junior Paulo has been released to play after he was cited for a dangerous tackle on England’s Tom Mayor.
Samoan players celebrate their golden point win over England to reach the final
Skipper Junior Paulo (center) is free to play after being cited for a dangerous tackle in a massive boost for the giant-killing islanders
The islanders will go into battle as huge underdogs, but they will certainly have the support of the crowd.
Australian winger Valentine Holmes likens his side’s dominating campaign to the All Blacks and says the Kangaroos can expect to be the pantomime villains in their showdown against Samoa.
England’s 27-26 defeat at the hands of the Samoans gives the Pacific nation the chance to do what many thought unimaginable and knock off the kangaroos on the biggest stage of them all.
Many England fans bought tickets to the final well in advance in the hope that their side would get there.
The kangaroos are popular favorites to take the world crown, but brace themselves for waves of cheers from the crowds at Old Trafford (pictured, Australia center Latrell Mitchell)
Instead, they will now be cheering for Samoa – the first new nation to reach a World Cup final in 34 years.
Australia’s matches have been poorly attended at this tournament, but in their semi-final victory over New Zealand in front of a crowd of nearly 30,000 at Elland Road in Leeds, the kangaroos were booed incessantly.
Holmes said they expect similar treatment in the final because of the team’s aura and reputation.
“It’s something we talked about and we knew we came in, not as underdogs, but fans know we’re a world-class team,” said Holmes.
“They want to see us lose.
“I think you could say the same about the All Blacks. Everyone is trying to beat them and that includes us.’
Aussie winger Valentine says the team will receive a hostile reception in Manchester as a compliment
The Kangaroos have only been beaten twice since 2015, and have not lost a tour or tournament in the UK since 2005.
Striker Cameron Murray said his teammates took the hostile reception as a mark of respect.
“That was a little warm-up for what we’re going to hear this week,” he said, looking back on the game in New Zealand.
“It (boo) is okay, we embrace that, we take it as a compliment.
“Everyone supports the underdogs and we know we are the favourites.
“We go in with humble confidence and make sure we practice in the areas we know we need to fix.”