The teams are heading out. Listen to that reception. It is electric.

Earlier Australia were booed out by the huge contingent of Samoa fans inside the the stadium.

Australia boss Kevin Walters, speaking prior to the semi-final: "Samoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night.

"It's going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we've got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament."

Australia's victory in that encounter at Old Trafford in Manchester was by a relatively comfortable 30-10 scoreline - they have been triumphant in all five of the previous meetings between these teams.

The Kangaroos most recent match against Samoa in October 2023 was a 38-12 win.

A burning desire to avenge their defeat in the 2022 final is driving Samoa here. The Samoans lost the title decider to the dominant Kangaroos 30-10 in England four years ago and it still hurts.

"Look, to lose a grand final like that, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't burning for the guys who were there," skipper Junior Paulo told reporters ahead of Sunday night's shot at redemption in Sydney.

"But that's '22 and this is 2026 and, with the squad that we've got now, everyone's just keen on moving forward and obviously you want to look back and find ways to motivate the team.

"I don't think that's going to be a problem for us this week."

Image source, Getty Images

Samoa are without playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita today after he injured his hamstring in the narrow 20-18 loss to Tonga in their final group game.

His spot goes to Ronald Volkman, who was excellent when he came on in that contest, while Deine Mariner returns to the interchange bench after overcoming a hamstring problem of his own.

Samoa: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Brian To'o, Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Sualauvi Fa'alogo, Ronald Volkman, Jarome Luai, Francis Molo, Benaiah Ioelu, Junior Paulo, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua.

Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Spencer Leniu, Shawn Blore, Ata Mariota, Clayton Faulalo, Deine Mariner.

Image source, Getty Images

Australia head coach Kevin Walters has made a late change to the starting 13 that crushed the Cook Islands 66-6 to leave then unbeaten in the group phase last week.

Keaon Koloamatangi has come into the starting line-up at prop in place of Patrick Carrigan, who drops to the bench.

That is the only change, which means Reece Walsh's running power has been preferred at full-back instead of fellow superstar James Tedesco, who starts on the bench, and that Tom Dearden has done enough to partner Cameron Munster in the halves.

Australia: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Keaon Koloamatangi, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo.

Interchange: Ethan Strange, Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco

Image source, Getty Images

A little earlier, Australia reached their fifth successive Women's Rugby League World Cup final.

Now it's over to the men as Kevin Walters' side face Samoa with a view to reaching yet another showpiece match.

Only once, in the very first tournament in 1954, have Australia failed to get to the final -,and they have won the past three.

If anyone reckons this is going to be easy, mind, they should just take a ganders around the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. There is plenty of blue and red knocking around inside the ground.