League: 'Little things' will decide game

The Kangeroos have been boosted by the return of Billy Slater. Photo / Getty Images

For all the skill and athleticism on show in tomorrow morning's World Cup final, both sides think it will be the intangibles that will make the difference.

Players call them the one per centers, the little things that can decide a game, and aren't always the most obvious aspects or the ones crowds come to see.

"In big games like this, it's just effort," Australia coach Tim Sheens said. "The skill factors are there but it's offset generally by the effort, the one per cent things that some player will do - make a tackle, dive on a loose ball or do something that makes a difference. The little things will win the game."

Kangaroos halfback Cooper Cronk agrees.

"Rugby league has been played for over 100 years but the fundamentals haven't changed. You have to tackle harder than they run and run harder than they tackle."

The Australians are desperate to win the World Cup, not so much to make up for what happened in 2008 but to win it for themselves. No one in the team has ever won a World Cup and, for many, this will be their last chance given it is the oldest Australian team in history.

The Kiwis have seven survivors from the 2008 campaign, including captain Simon Mannering, who played in the centres.

"2008 was a pretty special moment. It was the first time I had beaten Australia and you don't get those chances too often," he said. "For this group, we have an opportunity but a big challenge ahead of us. The final will determine how we look back on this moment but we want to put ourselves in the best position to hopefully make it a good one."

They go into it on the back of a dramatic 20-18 semifinal defeat of England. It was a bruising match but most emerged without too much damage.

Frank Pritchard won't play after failing to overcome his hamstring strain but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who was cleared of a fractured leg, should play. Fellow winger Manu Vatuvei (groin) is also expected to start in place of Jason Nightingale.

The Australians have been boosted by the return of fullback Billy Slater from what looked like a serious knee injury and that will see Greg Inglis move back into the centres at the expense of Brent Tate.

Kiwis utility Alex Glenn is the beneficiary of Pritchard's injury and will start on the interchange bench tomorrow morning. Like a lot of New Zealand's players, he was wearing the scars of last week's game and has a black eye, but he's ready to put his body on the line again.

"The thought of warming up and running out on the field is something I get butterflies over," the 25-year-old said. "A young kid from the North Shore, I would never have thought I would be in the position I am today. It's all those memories you have as a youngster to get to where I am now. It all falls into place. It makes me want to go harder and not miss this opportunity.

"It's going to come down to a tough, grinding game and who wants it the most. And we want it."