Wales v Australia - Rugby World Cup 2011: Third-Place Play-off Preview
Following crushing losses last weekend, both sides will be looking to make amends and secure the bronze medal in the penultimate game of this year’s tournament
Its the game no one wants to play in. Ultimately it doesnt mean much; it is just a badge, to finish on a high despite the looming shadow of Sundays Final reminding those involved of what could have been. But on Friday one of these sides will be deemed third best team in the world. On paper it doesnt sound bad, being third best considering there are plenty more teams below you in the pecking order. But the wounds are still too raw either both teams to appreciate that fact, the healing effect of time yet to be given a chance to soothe. Both sides could feasibly have been playing two days later and both will feel aggrieved not to be there. The Welsh arguably have a greater justification to be annoyed, given the performance they put in against the French considering they went an hour without their leader-in-chief Warburton following his dismissal for that tackle. Australian fans, when pushed, will concede they didnt deserve to be there based on their display against Champions-in-waiting New Zealand, but victory was in no way unfeasible considering they took the Tri-Nations crown by defeating New Zealand in their last encounter. Looking to the teams selected it appears initially that Wales are more determined to win this match, which is in keeping with their attitude since day one. Keeping a lot of the team that got so far in this World Cup, Gethin Jenkins takes over the captaincy with Warburton suspended for three weeks for his tackle of Vincent Clerc, but the rest of the team is mostly unchanged. Ryan Jones steps into the pack at number 8 with Toby Faletau switching to the openside. Alun Wyn Jones, who made a huge step up in theFrancegame following the red card, drops out of the 22 as he ran himself into the ground according to coach Warren Gatland. Adam Jones calf injury sees Paul James given a chance and Ryan Bevington and Adam Powell occupy the remaining spaces on the bench. Australia however have made eight changes to the side, Kurtley Beale being the most prominent name brought back into the side following his hamstring injury that denied him last week. Pat McCabe is replaced by Berrick Barnes while the forward pack sees the bulk of the changes. Nathan Sharpe takes the place of Dan Vickerman and will win his 100th cap forAustralia in the process. The front row is completely changed with James Slipper, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Salesi Ma'afu preferred in the front row, replacing the trio of Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander. In the back row Rocky Elsom and Radike Samo drop to the bench for Blind-side flanker Scott Higginbotham and number eight Ben McCalman. 
One extra bit of good news is that Shane Williams will delay his retirement until the replay of this match inCardiffin a friendly in December. Wales record try scorer will instead bow out in front of his home fans, and will no doubt be given the ovation he deserves. Prediction As I touched on, the line ups for this side give a good indicator of the mental attitude both sides have. As is regularly the case with these games, Australia have decided to give their squad players a run out and ensured Nathan Sharpe did not hang agonisingly on 99 caps. Waleshowever have no time for sentiment, selecting what is just about their strongest side out of who is available. With so many sides now back home enveloped in a range of emotions when reviewing their own tournament, the Welsh more than any will want to win this to give themselves something positive to take away. Twice they were denied against other big sides, first versusSouth Africaand last week againstFrance. I suspect that they will ensure it does not happen a third time and will win by less than seven points. Australia: Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs); James O'Connor (Western Force), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), James Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), David Pocock (Western Force), Ben McCalman (Western Force). Replacements: Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Radike Samo (Queensland Reds), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs), Anthony Faingaa (Queensland Reds), Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs). Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Perpignan), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys). Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).