Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his team will be looking to finish their long season on a high when they tackle Wales in Cardiff.
They've played an incredible 16 Tests and are on the verge of a well-earned break before the resumption of Super Rugby and the 2013 tour of the British and Irish Lions.
"This is our last outing and we don't want to go into summer unhappy with our last performance," the New Zealander said.
"It's the last opportunity for our group before the Lions and also the Wales players to present themselves."
The defending Grand Slam champions are on a six-match losing streak and have so far been trumped by Argentina, Samoa and New Zealand in their November matches, while the Wallabies bounced back from a surprise mauling in France to beat England and Italy.
Saturday's game will be the sixth between Wales and Australia in 13 months, the Wallabies winning all previous five encounters - including the third-place play-off at the World Cup and a closely-fought three-Test series on Australian soil in June.
If that record wasn't bad enough, Wales must beat Australia to remain in the top eight seeds for Monday's 2015 World Cup draw in London, teams in the top two bands of four receiving a more favourable group.
Should Australia win, not only would it be their eighth consecutive win against the Welsh since 2009, but it would also mean that they leapfrog South Africa to finish the year as they started: ranked second in the world.
"There's very little between us," Deans admitted, highlighting his team's 11-point combined winning total in the three matches Down Under.
"There was nothing in them.
"There are not too many surprises in international rugby. In and since the World Cup, defences have ramped up and part of that is in the conditioning and Wales are one of the most conditioned.
"Wales will throw everything at us, no doubt."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Stiffen the sinews, summon the blood and cry waltzing Matilda!!
Posted 12:30 30th November 2012
Bones7 says...
Haha! Brilliant stuff rugby_rockstar! 'They've played an incredible 16 Tests and are on the verge of a well-earned break before the resumption of Super Rugby and the 2013 tour of the British and Irish Lions.' That is far far too much, for players, coaches and fans. It removes all the joy from internationals if they happen that regularly. I don't even know why I'm bothering to state this because I'm sure everyone agrees. That's half a season's league fixtures!
Posted 10:57 30th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
"Into the breach ya bloody drongos!!!!" shouted dingo deans as he approached cardiff castle.
Robbie the V is being shown in the Sidney Opera House next Tuesday. Bring your own lager.
Posted 10:06 30th November 2012