KEY POINTS:
CARDIFF - Australia return to the scene of their 1999 World Cup triumph on Saturday determined to make Wales pay a heavy price for forcing them to return to a city where recent history has not been so kind.
The Wallabies slumped to a 24-22 defeat at Wales's Millennium Stadium fortress in 2005, their first loss to the Welsh in 10 games, a run stretching back to their defeat in the third place play-off at the 1987 World Cup.
Then, last year, despite leading 17-3, they needed a late try from Chris Latham to escape with a 29-29 draw.
Australia's mood has not been helped by having to play in front of 75,000 passionate fans in a match they are convinced should really have been staged in France.
On top of that a knee injury sustained in training Friday to veteran playmaker Stephen Larkham has cast a dark cloud over the Wallabies preparations.
If Larkham does not recover in time he could be replaced by one-Test rookie Berrick Barnes.
Coach John Connolly said a final decision on Larkham's availability would be left until Saturday morning but that he would have no hestitations about sending out Barnes if required.
The winner of Saturday's clash will be virtually certain of topping Pool B and booking a quarter-final spot against the Pool A runners-up which most observers expect to be defending champions England.
Saturday's beaten side are likely to come up against the Springboks in the last eight.
The Wallabies, who crushed Japan 91-3 in their opening match, have made two changes to their starting team.
Drew Mitchell replaces winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, who injured his toe in the victory over Japan while Guy Shepherdson returns at tight-head prop in place of Al Baxter.
"This is a crucial game as far as our pool is concerned and a lot of what we have done over the past 12 months has been preparing us for this game," said Connolly.
"Playing in front of a packed Millennium Stadium in a World Cup will be an unforgettable experience for the players. It's something they will treasure for the rest of their lives."
Australian lock Nathan Sharpe has warned the Welsh, who opened their campaign with a 42-17 win over Canada after trailing 17-9, to expect no mercy.
Sharpe insists the Wallabies slipped up in their two most recent trips to the Welsh capital.
"We took our foot off the throat," he said.
"We started well in both years and let them back into the game through our own mistakes and probably a bit of a drop in intensity thinking we might have had the wood on them. I don't think you'll see that happen this weekend."
Wales were saved from humiliation in Nantes last Sunday by the arrival of veteran British Lions stars Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones and Colin Charvis off the bench and all three start on Saturday.
That means James Hook, who had a poor game against Canada after being touted as a superstar of the tournament, being relegated to the bench.
Under pressure Wales coach Gareth Jenkins - who has just five victories in his 17 matches in charge - insists his men are well aware of the importance of the match which he called the "biggest" of his reign.
"This is a significant match for us in many ways," he said. "It's the most important match we have played during my tenure and probably the most important game a Welsh side has played for a long time.
"We have a considered and professional approach and we have selected a team to win this Test match.
"We must be focused, hard and determined to do it. This squad has those qualities, together with the self-belief, talent and ability to achieve a significant victory on home soil."
- AFP
