Rugby league-Ponga and Walsh face off again in World Cup final as NZ look to upset Australia

SYDNEY, Nov 13 : Australia and New Zealand opened the Rugby League World Cup with a humdinger of a contest four weeks ago and hopes are high for another blockbuster on Sunday when they face off again with the title on the line in Brisbane.

Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh and his Kiwis counterpart Kalyn Ponga were the stars of the show last month in Sydney, and their pace, footwork and handling should again be vital for their teams in the Lang Park clash. 

Ponga, who made an incredible return after breaking his arm in the group clash to help New Zealand beat Tonga in the semi-finals last week, edged out Walsh to win the Golden Boot as the world's best rugby league player on Thursday night. 

The Australian-raised 28-year-old, who was given an emotional haka by his teammates after receiving the trophy, would happily trade the award for a win on Sunday in only his third game for the Kiwis.

"I'm not a part of this team to win the (Golden Boot), I'm part of this team to win the World Cup," Ponga, who was able to represent New Zealand this year after a change in the eligibility rules, said this week. 

"There's a bigger goal than that for me."

Australia and New Zealand also meet in the women's World Cup final earlier on Sunday at the same stadium, where the Jillaroos will be gunning for a fourth straight title against the Kiwi Ferns, who won the first three editions. 

NUMBER ONE RIVALRY

New Zealand have won the men's World Cup just once, stunning the Kangaroos in 2008, but will take great heart from having the upper hand over the 12-times champion Australians for much of their opening match before going down 24-22. 

The usually dominant Kangaroos took their time getting going in the tournament before finding their groove to thrash a