The Wallabies have vowed to keep their boots on Welsh throats to maintain their psychological edge over the Six Nations champions heading into the 2015 World Cup.
Responding to Warren Gatland's claims Wales have treated their previous November clashes as "friendlies", Australia coach Ewen McKenzie warned they wouldn't find the going any easier at Millennium Stadium on Saturday night.
It's an intriguing year-ending clash for the two sides who are both close to full strength after the Wallabies recalled suspended backs Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins.
Australia can end a forgettable season on a high with their first four-match winning streak in five years and Wales can snap an eight-Test drought against the Wallabies.
While Gatland has led Wales to Six Nations success, they have only won one of 22 Tests against the three Southern Hemisphere heavyweights since he started in 2008.
The successful British and Lions coach this week tried to downplay that record by saying their previous home November matches had been used as preparation for their Six Nations campaigns.
"I think that's a good way to explain the record," McKenzie countered. "If you look at the record in his era we're (8-1) and they're zero against New Zealand and zero against South Africa.
"This year they've decided it's suddenly time to go out and compete ... but I don't know why they didn't since 2008.
"We're treating it like a grand final and we think it's important."
The Wallabies and Wales have been drawn together with hosts England in the 'pool of death' at the next World Cup, and will face each other in the final group game at Twickenham.
McKenzie bluntly said it was important to deny Wales success before then and didn't believe bold Welsh talk of ending Australia's recent dominance was anything new.
"I'm sure they have said it after every game," he said. "We're quite happy to clearly have the psychological edge there because if they were worried about it they wouldn't be talking about it.
"If we can keep our foot on their throat there it's good for us. We're not keen to hand it over."
Ashley-Cooper returns from his ban for a big night out in Dublin at outside centre, with Christian Leali'ifano shifting to inside centre at Mike Harris's expense.
Cummins' recall to wing has seen Chris Feauai-Sautia, who scored in the 21-15 win over Scotland, miss the 23 altogether.
The only surprises have come on the bench where McKenzie has preferred Kane Douglas over Sitaleki Timani and Dave Dennis over Liam Gill to keep up a plan to target a vulnerable Welsh lineout, which is missing lock cover on the bench.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Joe Tomane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali'ifano, Nick Cummins, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis, Nic White, Mike Harris, Bernard Foley.
Share
