Australia's coach Michael Cheika and players Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy in relaxed mood ahead of Saturday's World Cup final and against New Zealand at Twickenham.

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Cheika was pleased with how returning prop Scott Sio came through training to claim his place in the starting team.

"Well, he's played really well in this tournament, you know?" the former New South Wales Waratahs coach said. "He's come through, he's done really well. He's very eager to play, he was very eager to try and get on the field the week before, but he couldn't get back in time, so he's going very good, he's done everything in training yesterday and he's looking forward to it."

Former Wallabies captain and star openside flanker Hooper paid special homage to opposite number Richie McCaw and the All Blacks.

"They are a group of players who do the small stuff really well everywhere, so to find weaknesses, it's tough," he said. "They are a great team, a great outfit, but like I've said and like we've been saying, this whole competition, it's on us and how we can be better as an individual and a a team.

"(McCaw is) an outstanding player. Outstanding career."