Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales v Australia (Sat)

Rugby World Cup Pool A: Australia v Wales

Wales go into Saturday's World Cup Pool A decider trying to buck a trend that has seen them lose their last 10 Tests against Australia.

Both sides have secured quarter-final places by beating England in the tournament's most difficult group.
The losers at Twickenham on Saturday know they will still progress, but South Africa await them next.
The winners will face either Scotland or Japan and should have an easier path towards the final.
The odds are stacked in Australia's favour, not just because of their impressive performance in humbling England 33-13 last weekend but because the Wallabies last lost to Wales in November 2008.
"We haven't spoken about it at all," was Wales coach Warren Gatland's reaction when asked about that losing streak.

Like this? Read these... "The last five times there's been a score in it. We've been ahead in games and haven't been able to finish it off but you learn from that.

"In the last big game in the autumn against South Africa we closed that game down [when Wales won 12-6].
"We were brilliant against England in the last 10 to 15 minutes coming from behind and then showing maturity under a lot of pressure to close that game out.
"Hopefully if we're in that same situation on Saturday night we're able to be smart and accurate enough to shut the game down."

How we reached this point

Wales - disrupted by injuries before and during the World Cup - beat Uruguay 54-9, before their 28-25 defeat of England and a bruising 23-13 success against Fiji.
Australia opened by beating Fiji 28-13, Uruguay 65-3 and then produced the performance of the tournament so far in outclassing and out-muscling England.

Wales celebrate after their narrow win over England at Twickenham

Their coach, former Leinster boss Michael Cheika, said his team have to show further improvement.
"Every match in this tournament has required our team to step up to another level and we'll need to do that again against an undefeated Welsh team," he said.
"Every player in our squad knows the improvements required.
"Saturday night at Twickenham is another opportunity for us to put in a solid performance and continue to build towards the next stage of the tournament."

Team news

Wales have made six changes from the side that beat Fiji, the biggest headline surrounding the switch of George North to centre from wing in place of Tyler Morgan.
Liam Williams returns in North's wing berth after missing the Fiji game with concussion, with New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making his first international start at full-back.

Wales have moved George North from wing to centre against Australia

Fit-again props Samson Lee and Paul James come into the front row, with veteran loose-head Gethin Jenkins missing out altogether.
Luke Charteris is in the second row in place of Bradley Davies, and in the back row captain Sam Warburton swaps the number seven shirt for number six with Justin Tipuric on the open-side.
With flanker Michael Hooper suspended, Australia select Sean McMahon in the back row, with Drew Mitchell drafted in on the wing in place of the injured Rob Horne.
Full-back Israel Folau was named in the side on Thursday after being troubled by an ankle injury, but he missed the final training session on Friday.
"It's not a 100%, but for me I'm confident otherwise I wouldn't be strapping on the boots and going out there," said Folau.
"I'm sure every player in the tournament has little niggly injuries and you have to overcome them as best you can, but I'm definitely going into the game tomorrow.
"It's the last thing that's on my mind."

Key statistics

The last three matches in Australia's 10-match winning run against Wales were decided by points scored in the 80th, 74th and 79th minutes.
Wales forwards Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate have played in nine out of those 10 defeats - both miss this match.
Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper has played in all 10 of those matches. He does start this time.

Teams

Wales: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Paul James, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (capt), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Scott Fardy, Sean McMahon, David Pocock.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.