Rematch: Wales v Australia

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• Australia
• Wales

Also see

• Horne ruled out, Fainga'a starts
• Higginbotham to take his chance

Wales will be looking to avenge their World Cup third-place play-off defeat when they host Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies edged past the Welsh 21-18 in Auckland just over a month ago, completing a third consecutive victory over their northern hemisphere counterparts and ending their World Cup adventure on a high.

For Wales, it was their third narrow defeat of a World Cup campaign that could easily have seen them contesting the final against New Zealand. While there is no escaping the considerable impact Wales made at the tournament, they returned home rueing losses to South Africa, France and Australia by a combined total of just five points.

Whilst Australia deserved to win the battle for the bronze medal, Wales reserved their least effective display of the competition for last and sorely missed suspended skipper Sam Warburton, plus injured fly-half Rhys Priestland and prop Adam Jones.

Good news for Wales is that Warburton and Priestland return for this weekend's quickfire rematch at the cathedral of Welsh rugby in the heart of Cardiff, where 74,000 fans will welcome back their heroes after missing out on a spot in the World Cup final by the narrowest of margins.

It's been three years since Wales last tasted victory over the men from Down Under (21-18 in 2008), and the hosts will be wanting to do everything in their power to not only avoid a third loss on the trot and give Shane Williams a winning send-off.

One of the proud rugby nation's most popular Test players, Williams will make his final appearance in a Wales jersey when he runs out for his 87th cap. The overwhelming interest from Welsh fans in Williams's last hurrah has dramatically boosted the crowd figure for a Test that was originally little more than a money-spinner for both unions.

Win or lose, Wales' leading try-scorer (57) is guaranteed an emotional farewell.

Indeed, the Williams factor will play a major part in this match and Australia coach Robbie Deans believes the home team's desire to give the Welsh Wizzard a victorious send-off should not be underestimated.

"We experienced ourselves how powerful the additional motivation of playing for a mate can be when 'Sharpie' (Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe) had his 100th Test in Auckland (against Wales) recently," Deans said.

"There was no way any of the other players wanted to let him down.

"I have no doubts that the Welsh lads will be feeling just the same this week as we did in Auckland. Emotion plays a powerful role in competitive sport."

Australia will be pretty confident of raining on Williams's parade following their 60-11 thumping of the Barbarians at Twickenham last weekend.

However, it must be said that the defensive effort of the Barbarians was nothing short of shocking. In a definitive period between the 40th and 70th minutes, those wearing the black and white hoops ushered the Wallabies to the tryline no less than five times.

Deans's troops will be under no illusions that a repeat of last week's one-sided affair is certainly out of the question, and face a much sterner test against Wales with James O'Connor and co. set to be marked men throughout the contest.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts promised the Welsh would not be providing the Australians with as much time and space come kick-off on Saturday.

"We have made sure this week in defence we are ready to greet him (O'Connor) and Berrick Barnes as well," said Roberts.

But while the Welsh backs have the potential to keep Australia's back-line at bay, it's in the forwards that may present some cause for concern. Adam Jones's absence is a massive blow, while being without first-choice locks Alun-Wyn Jones as well as Luke Charteris is hardly helpful either and they'll require Sam Warburton to match David Pocock at the breakdown - easier said than done.

The winner will also hold a psychological advantage, with the two sides set to meet yet again next year when Wales embark on a three-Test tour of Australia. As if they weren't getting sick and tired of each already?

But if Wales have learned anything from their last match against Australia at Eden Park - where they missed several kicks at goal - is that the team that takes their chances wins... and this weekend's hit-out will be no different.

Ones to watch:

For Wales: It is more than 11 years since Shane Williams made his Test debut, but on Saturday the rugby world will say goodbye to one man who has proved rugby can still be a game for all sizes. All eyes will be on the Welsh Wizzard to see what final tricks he can pull out the bag for the last time to bamboozle international opposition.

For Australia: With 75-Test veteran Rocky Elsom out of action, 25-year-old loose forward Scott Higginbotham - making only his fourth Test start this weekend - will look to tighten his grip on the Wallabies' number six jersey with another strong performance.

Head-to-head: Rhys Priestland v James O'Connor. Priestland returns for Wales after missing out on his side's semi-final and third-place play-off defeats at the World Cup. One of the revelations at the RWC before being hit by injury, the impressive Welsh pivot's task will be to contain the assured and versatile O'Connor who made a bright start in his first appearance at 10 for Australia in last weekend's rout of the Barbarians. The 21-year-old has an uncanny ability to shed tackles and Priestland will have to try and limit the amount of damage his opposite number can do.

Recent results:
2011: Australia won 21-18 in Auckland (RWC)
2010: Australia won 25-16 in Cardiff
2009: Australia won 33-12 in Cardiff
2008: Wales won 21-18 in Cardiff
2007: Australia won 32-20 in Cardiff (RWC)
2007: Australia won 31-0 in Brisbane
2007: Australia won 29-23 in Sydney
2006: Match Drawn 29-29 in Cardiff
2005: Wales won 24-22 in Cardiff
2003: Australia won 30-10 in Sydney
2001: Australia won 21-13 in Cardiff

Prediction: Wales will be at their most threatening because of the emotion surrounding Williams' departure and Australia will certainly have their hands full on the pitch and off it, with a capacity crowd set to cheer on their golden boy. We're expecting a see-saw battle with Wales to come out on top - with perhaps the departing winger to score the winning try? Wouldn't that be a fairytale ending! Wales to win by five points.

The teams:

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Alex Cuthbert.

Australia: (revised) 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 James Horwill, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Nathan Sharpe, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Nick Phipps.

Date: Saturday, December 3
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson, Jérôme Garces
TMO: Geoff Warren