The Wallabies will be looking to add to their 10-game winning streak over Wales.
Where will Saturday's Pool A match be decided?
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (captain)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Kane Douglas
5. Dean Mumm
6. Scott Fardy
7. Sean McMahon
8. David Pocock
9. Will Genia
10. Bernard Foley
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
Replacements:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Greg Holmes
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ben McCalman
21. Nick Phipps
22. Matt Toomua
23. Kurtley Beale
WALES
1. Paul James
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Samson Lee
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Sam Warburton (captain)
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Gareth Davies
10. Dan Biggar
11. Liam Williams
12. Jamie Roberts
13. George North
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Gareth Anscombe
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Aaron Jarvis
18. Tom Francis
19. Jake Ball
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Lloyd Williams
22. Rhys Priestland
23. James Hook
Key Match-ups
McMahon/Pocock vs Warburton/Tipuric
Last week the Wallabies were up against zero specialist open sides. This week, fire will be fought with fire when with Justin Tipuric coming into the Welsh number seven, shifting captain Sam Warburton into blindside. The Wallabies will miss Michael Hooper’s speed coming into rucks but McMahon has been the side’s best in the past two matches he has played. If there’s one area where the Wallabies have the depth to cover unexpected changes it’s at seven. And McMahon has a fairly decent partner in David Pocock, who is leading the side for turnovers through the Cup. It’s worth noting he was not there the last time these sides met.
Will Genia v Gareth Davies
Last weekend it was the fly halves that shaped as pivotal, against Wales it will be the halfbacks. Gareth Davies had to replace Rhys Webb and had a major question mark over him coming into the tournament. However, the Welsh number nine has lived up to the task and his speed in attack has been crucial for the Red Dragons. Will Genia’s passing game has been his strength this tournament and it will be again on Saturday. Genia heaped the praise on Davies on Thursday but he is a world class number nine who has plenty of experience on the biggest stage.
Dan Biggar v Bernard Foley
Bernard Foley was the game breaker for the Wallabies and the points piled on for the Wallabies fly half. A major boon for the 10 was his perfect kicking on the night as well. The Wallabies have spoken all week about the dangers of giving Biggar an opportunity anywhere near the posts such is his kicking accuracy but Foley’s seven-from-seven last Saturday at the same ground will surely give him a boost in the pool decider.
The finishers
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika thinks this game will go down to the wire and history supports him. Australia’s fitness and ability to finish games off coupled with their whole squad mentality, means their bench is treated as an extension of the starting XV. Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua would be starters in plenty of other World Cup teams and Queensland forwards James Slipper and Greg Holmes have been important injections in the pack when they’ve come off the bench.
