2017 Rugby League World Cup

The inspirational loose forward suffered a quadriceps strain against Tonga but hasn't recovered in time. Sam Burgess will skipper the side, a role he performed during the 2016 Four Nations, with Ben Currie starting and Jonny Lomax moving to the bench.

Reports emerged on Thursday morning that Bennett had called for a crackdown on Australia's tactics, with the master coach claiming that the Kangaroos deliberately slow the ruck by calling on a third defender whose job is to lay on top of teammates who had already completed the tackle. 

The 37-year-old, who has officiated in 226 NRL matches since his debut in 2009, has gained the whistle for the tournament decider after having officiated in all three State of Origin games this season, taking his record to 10 straight Origin games, and the NRL grand final alongside Matt Cecchin.

Bennett made the statement after England’s narrow 20-18 semi-final win over Tonga but Kangaroos prop David Klemmer said those kind of mind games won’t engender any complacency in the Australian squad.

Klemmer insisted Bennett would instil belief in the England squad that they could upset the host nation. 

The traditional rivals are the last two nations standing after England survived a furious Tonga comeback on Saturday.

While Wayne Bennett's side have bounced back from their tournament-opening loss to Australia with four straight wins, they will start as overwhelming underdogs in Brisbane.

The Wayne Bennett-coached side have completed at below 80 per cent in three of their four games so far, culminating in a sloppy effort in last week's 36-6 quarter-final victory over Papua New Guinea, where they completed just over half of their 46 sets.

Media manager, Joanna Lester, says the Kumuls will touch down in Port Moresby at 12pm.

Only four teams remain in the contest for the ultimate prize in international rugby league.

England will play Tonga at Mt. Smart Stadium, New Zealand, on Saturday, November 25. The semi-final will kick off at 6pm.

In the other semi-final, Australia will clash with Fiji at Brisbane Stadium, Australia, on Friday, November 24, at 7pm.

(Photo credit: NRL photos)

"It was a solid game against England,” says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

“Our team played hard, and they can now learn from the experience and look towards the next World Cup.”

The PM says regardless of the result in Melbourne, outstanding games have been played by the Kumuls in this World Cup tournament.

"They have again united the nation as we watched the games, and we have all been impressed,” continues O’Neill.

Despite this afternoon’s 36-6 win over the PNG LNG Kumuls, Wayne Bennett’s England only completed 25 of 45 sets.

The Kumuls were dealt a mighty blow 90 seconds into the match when captain David Mead came off second best after a try saving tackle on England’s Luke Gale.

After surviving early raids from the English, the Kumuls went on the counter-attack and came agonisingly close to drawing first blood after Kato Ottio dropped a bomb in the in-goal.

Repeat sets to England produced the first points with Jermaine McGillvary flying over on the wing.