After one month, 16 nations, and 30 games, it is less than one week until the next Rugby League World Cup winner is crowned.
Australia and Samoa will go head-to-head to find out who can arise to the occasion.
Entering the final both nations have had a separate journey as they get ready to battle it out against their opposition.
These are the three key match-ups that will help define the winner of the Rugby League World Cup final.
The fullback match-up consists of two Sydney Roosters teammates. One has been a mainstay at the representative level, while the other is considered the best young player in rugby league.
James Tedesco and Joseph Suaalii will go up against each other for bragging rights once they get back home.
Tedesco is one of the Kangaroos to play in every match of the tournament. During his time at the back of the park, he has managed to break through the tackle 47 times, has six line breaks to his name, and three tries. In total he has run 935 metres, averaging 187 a game. Yet to play a major role in the attack, he will be a player to watch during the game.
The former premiership winner and Dally M medalist will surround Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary as he looks to punch through the holes in the defence. His ability to find gaps has made him a crucial part of the Kangaroos set-up. As the Samoan forwards get tired, get ready to see Tedesco run past them, breaking through the line.
Going up against Tedesco is his Roosters teammate Suaalii who is known to play on the wing. The 19-yeard old has provided Samoa with 1107 total run metres, averaging 221 metres a game. He is most useful when returning the ball from the back of the field and can be seen lurking around the play-makers in the attack.
Supplementing the backs, his versatility on the field has made him one of the best players for Samoa. He can be seen anywhere from fullback to second-row. Suaalii plays a crucial role when Samoa is attacking on fifth tackle. His height allows him to gain a high vertical meaning he will have first crack at receiving the ball from the kick.
The Penrith Panthers play-makers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have gone through everything together. Whether it was competing in the State of Origin, playing in back-to-back premierships or beginning their career together, the halves will be at odds when the whistle blows to signify kick-off for the World Cup final.
Alongside Panthers teammates Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary will don the Australian jersey for the fourth time this tournament. Cleary will control the game through his ball skills and kicking ability.
A constant threat from anywhere on the field, he has provided the Kangaroos with five try assists and ten linebreak assists so far this tournament. He was back to his brilliant best against New Zealand having 609 kicking metres which include nailing bombs to discomfort the opposing backs.
While Cleary has Martin and Yeo, Jarome Luai will be accompanied by Panthers teammates Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Taylan May. Heading into the World Cup there was a lot of expectation on Luai to guide the Samoan team. After the embarrassing loss to England in their first game, critics wondered if he has what it takes to be a premium five-eighth.
Since then, he has become a weapon for Samoa being the best player on the field. He has contributed two tries, nine try assists and forced three dropouts of his kicks in the attack. Luai is looking to take the reigns off Cleary as the Panthers number one play-maker.
The battle of the front-row will be between Paramatta Eels teammates Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo. The club teammates will put their friendship aside as they look to lead their forward pack into battle against one another.
Campbell-Gillard has a lot to prove after a disappointing performance against New Zealand, where he was only on the field for 32 minutes. Known for being consistent at prop, he struggled against the strong physical Kiwis forward pack. Although he was able to get the last laugh, advancing into the final.
He knows what to expect from his NSW Blues brother, so his insight will be valuable to the rest of his teammates. Despite not playing the most minutes he has average 78 running metres and a 94.9% success rate in his tackles
Samoa's captain Junior Paulo will once again lead the forward pack with his tenacity, physicality in defence and hard running in the attack. In two must-win games against Tonga and England, he played over 60 minutes of football. This is quite unusual for a prop, but in each minute he played his heart out.
He has been an efficient tackler in defence, making 126 at a 94% success rate. His stats get better in attack, making 13 tackle busts and averaging 121 running metres a game. If Samoa get close to the try-line, you will almost certainly see Paulo receive the ball as no defenders can stop him from close range.