The winners of today’s clash will take on Pool B’s runner-up (likely to be Scotland but Japan still have a chance if results go their way) while today’s loser will take on two-time champions, South Africa.
Both teams will be relying heavily on their respective No 10s to guide them to victory, but in Dan Biggar, Wales possess a player in the form of his life.
With both teams guaranteed a quarter-final spot, 25-year-old Biggar has already kicked England hopes into touch with a haul of 23 points against the red rose brigade and even though history is against Wales, the 25-year-old enters today’s pressure cooker situation cool as a cucumber.
“We go into this weekend with a fraction of pressure off us – or as little pressure off as you are going to get in an international World Cup rugby match – but knowing that we have qualified no matter what has put a relaxed mood in the camp,” he said.
“We can chance our arm once or twice a little bit, but our same structure will remain to be physical, do our basics well, try and get over the gain-line and play some rugby.
“Ourselves and Australia would feel a lot more comfortable and confident going into a quarter-final on the back of winning every pool match, rather than off the back of a defeat.
“It’s not the end of the world, but it’s about continuity, confidence and having the squad together and all being on a high. It has been important to keep the confidence, and a winning team is generally a happy team.
“We have had so many injuries, we have had so much publicity about that, and it has brought us all together and we are just worried about ourselves and thinking whoever we play – Scotland, Japan or South Africa – it’s going to be a heck of a Test match, but one which we are going to relish.”
Australia are on a 10-match winning streak against Wales, stretching back almost seven years. Wales’ last Test victory against Australia was a 21-18 win at the Millennium Stadium in November 2008 which was Warren Gatland’s first match against Australia as Wales’ head coach.
The Wallabies crushed England with a devastating display with Biggar’s opposite number Bernard Foley also enjoying a memorable tournament – a fact which hasn’t escaped Biggar.
“Their backs are looking sharp, and they played some really good rugby against England, so it is going to take a heck of a defensive effort from us.
“But we went to Twickenham and beat England in their own World Cup, so we have got to go in there with plenty of confidence and back ourselves to come out on top, although we are fully aware how difficult it is to beat the Wallabies.”
* There will be a live blog for today’s match – it will begin one hour before kick-off – Go to http://www.wru.co.uk/live
