Both teams have qualified for the quarter-finals, but their final group game will decide who finishes top, a position currently held by the Wallabies.
The reward for top spot would be a last-eight meeting with Scotland or Japan, while the losers will take on a South African side gaining momentum with New Zealand their likely opponents in the semi-finals.
Wales assistant coach Shan Edwards, the man tasked with hatching a plan to keep a rampant Australian backline at bay, suggested the best form of defence could be attack.
Another Aussie blast to fire-up the boys - @ACDC pumping through Twickenham for the #Wallabies Captain's Run! https://t.co/exOTrRtJc2 — Wallabies (@Wallabies) October 9, 2015
“We want to attack as much as we can, but we know what a potent attacking unit Australia are,” Edwards said.
“They scored the most tries in the Rugby Championship and they have just beaten England by 20 points.
“We will have to be at our best offensively and defensively, in fact all facets of our game must really be up there if we are to be in contention in the game.
“But it is something we are prepared for. We have been looking forward to this game for a couple of years.” Edwards, defensive coach of the Welsh side, is also relishing a contest with Australian attack guru Stephen Larkham.
“He did a marvellous job in exploiting the space in and around the ruck against England and that is something we have worked on this week,” Edwards said.
“Stephen Larkham is one of the greatest players I ever saw play the game and he is one of the best coaches now. I am in a competitive situation with him this week and hopefully that brings out the best in me.”
The switch of George North from the wing to outside centre is aimed at getting him more opportunity to run at Australia.
“North has worked very hard on his defence, even though he is a naturally attacking player, and he will get more ball than on the wing," Edwards said.
“With guys that have his ability, you just want to get the ball into his hands and see how he goes.”
Edwards hinted that Wales would feel more comfortable with a likely quarter-final against Scotland which, if they won, could lead to another Six Nations opponent in France or Ireland.
“If we win we will meet teams that we play against more regular
The lowdown for Australia's Rugby World Cup showdown with Wales:
Head to head:
Games played: 38
Australia: 27 wins
Wales: 10
Drawn: 1
World Cup records:-
Australia: 36 wins, 8 losses
Wales: 21 wins, 14 losses
Best World Cup finish:
Australia: Champions (1991, 1999)
Wales: Third (1987)
World ranking:
Australia: 2
Wales: 3
Recent clashes between the two nations:
2014: Australia won 33-14 in Cardiff
2013: Australia won 30-26 in Cardiff
2012: Australia won 14-12 in Cardiff
Recent form:
Australia: 33-13 win over England; 65-3 win over Uruguay; 28-13 win over Fiji.
Wales: 23-13 win over Fiji; 28-25 win over England; 54-9 win over Uruguay.
Key players:
Australia: Sean McMahon. Watch out for the firebrand No.7 to step into the shoes of Michael Hooper with ease. McMahon plays a different style to defensive pest Hooper, but his all-out aggression and focus on attack will be felt. He's been man of the match in his past two Wallabies performances.
Wales: George North. Everybody in Australia remembers this guy from his brilliant British and Irish Lions tour in 2013. Most famously, North showed off brute strength to fling would-be defender Israel Folau up on his shoulder and carry him 10 metres downfield. Wales have moved him to the centres to involve him more.
Teams:
Australia: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Sean McMahon, Scott Fardy, Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
Wales: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (capt); Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris; Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Paul James. Res: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.
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