But on Sunday, they will be divided by just 20 metres of heavily rolled MCG turf as Australia and New Zealand meet out in the middle for the first time in a Cricket World Cup final.

It is perhaps the biggest occasion between two neighbours who share a rich sporting and cultural rivalry. Not since the 1980s has cricket held such bilateral importance in trans-Tasman relations.

"It will be interesting if six runs are needed off the last ball, that's the scenario we all hope will happen," says ex-fast bowler Rodney Hogg.

Hogg is, of course, referring to the infamous "underarm" incident at the MCG in 1981, when Trevor Chappell was ordered by his brother and captain Greg to roll the ball along the pitch to stop New Zealand batsman Brian McKechnie hitting a six off the last ball to tie the game.

"I think it left a nasty taste in their mouths. It was a pretty embarrassing day for Australian cricket," says Hogg, who was left out of that One Day International but played the next game two days later.

The incident sparked  a sporting and political firestorm that would prompt New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon to brand the Australians "yellow". It set the tone for what would become a fierce rivalry for years to come.

Former off-spinner Greg Matthews toured New Zealand in the aftermath of what he describes as a "pathetic and stupid" piece of captaincy by Chappell.

He says he never felt as intimidated or threatened as he did while playing in New Zealand, as the fans relished in their dislike of the Australians. He remembers one banner, held by two policemen, that read "Matthews f---- chickens".

"They used it as a tool to build the nation to come together and unite and fight the good fight," he says. "I love that saying about Kiwis being balanced, they've got a chip on both shoulders."

Perhaps only in rugby union do matches between Australia and New Zealand provoke such interest on both sides of the Tasman. But the two sides have never played in a rugby world cup final before, despite an intense rivalry in the Bledisloe Cup.

Netball has produced some terrific moments over the years between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns, but those games have never quite captured the attention as perhaps they should have. Rugby league, yachting and hockey have had their moments as well.

And then there's the long-standing cultural rivalry, as Australia has faced allegations of appropriating some of New Zealand's finest exports, such as pavlova, the Finn brothers and Phar Lap.

But with strong performances from both countries at the Cricket World Cup, it appears one of the game's long-dormant rivalries is set to awaken. It has been a cold war recently. Despite 53 matches in the 1980s, the two side have met just 14 times in all formats since 2010.

Helping attract interest to the game is how even the teams are, with powerful batsmen and a strong battery of pacemen on both sides. Australia will have an edge playing at home but that won't discourage New Zealand.

Hogg says it could come down to the battle of the captains between Australia's Michael Clarke and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum. He doesn't think the Kiwis will be unnerved by the MCG.

"They are so competitive," says Hogg. "Sometimes they don't bring a superstar team but they always seem to lift against Australia which makes them hard to beat."