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Australia will meet Wales at Twickenham on Saturday to determine first place in Pool A. The match will have massive implications for the quarter-finals, as the loser must face the Springboks next weekend while the winner takes a less daunting road against either Scotland or Japan.
The Wallabies have three changes to the team that knocked out England, two enforced. Sean McMahon wears the no7 jersey in place of suspended Michael Hooper, and Drew Mitchell starts on the left wing replacing injured Rob Horne. Dean Mumm swaps places with Rob Simmons in the only tactical change.
By contrast Warren Gatland has made drastic changes to his Welsh side. Gethin Jenkins, Brad Davies, and Dan Lydiate have all been rested in the pack. Paul James starts at loosehead, Luke Charteris at lock, and Justin Tipuric on the flank, with Sam Warburton sliding over to the blindside. Samson Lee is handed a start in place of benched Tom Francis.
Liam Williams returns from concussion to get a run-out on the left wing, with George North a surprise choice at centre. Another interesting decision sees Gareth Anscombe winning his first full cap at fullback in place of Matthew Morgan.
Australia enter the game as emphatic favorites, having beaten Wales in 10 consecutive occasions, including a 33-28 win in Cardiff last November. Wales have not tasted victory over the Wallabies since the 21-18 result in November of 2008.
AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore (capt.) 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
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau 17 James Slipper 18 Greg Holmes 19 Rob Simmons 20 Ben McCalman 21 Nick Phipps 22 Matt To’omua 23 Kurtley Beale
WALES
1 Paul James 2 Scott Baldwin 3 Samson Lee 4 Luke Charteris 5 Alun Wyn Jones 6 Sam Warburton (capt.) 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
16 Ken Owens 17 Aaron Jarvis 18 Tomas Francis 19 Jake Ball 20 Ross Moriarty 21 Lloyd Williams 22 Rhys Priestland 23 James Hook
