Top spot in Pool A is on the line as Australia and Ireland clash at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome tonight, 1 November.
Form Guide
While both teams remain undefeated in three matches at RWC, their most recent victories could not have been more contrasting. Ireland scraped home 16-15 in a thriller against Argentina, while Australia sent records tumbling in a 142-0 victory over Namibia.
Ireland have also supplanted Australia in third place in the latest Official IRB World Rankings with the Wallabies now reverting to fourth.
Previous meetings
Australia has the better of the records between the two teams, winning 15 of the 22 matches played. Of those matches three have been in RWC finals with the Wallabies winning each of them.
Ins and Outs
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has made a host of changes to the team that beat Namibia. Fullback Mat Rogers is the only surviving back, albeit in a different position, switching from wing back to fullback.
The backline is the same one that played in the 24-8 defeat of Argentina in game one at Telstra Stadium on 10 October.
The forward pack is also the same as against Argentina with the exception of Al Baxter shifting to the bench to accommodate Ben Darwin. Bill Young, Brendan Cannon, David Giffin and Phil Waugh return to the starting team.
Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan has been less revolutionary making just three changes to the team which conquered Argentina in their 16-15 thriller in Adelaide. The two new faces in the forwards are former captain Anthony Foley and former Australian Under 21 captain Keith Gleeson.
Forwards Anthony Quinlan and Victor Costello drop out of the side all together. In the backs Ronan O’Gara is the new fly half taking the place of David Humphreys who reverts to the bench.
Key Players
While the match will have the full galaxy of stars on show, there are some that will shine brightest in the outcome of the match. A true superstar of the game, Irish centre Brian O’Driscoll will hold the key if the Irish backline is to score enough points to defeat the reigning champions.
In the forwards inspirational leader Keith Wood will again be the heart and soul of the Irish pack.
The Wallabies will be hoping that mercurial fly half Stephen Larkham continues his great run of form as he edges back close to his best.
Former Rugby League international Mat Rogers will also be hoping to continue his run of points after securing 42 in last game against Namibia.
What it means
While both teams have already secured a quarter finals berth, this game will determine which knockout opponent they will face, the winner draws the winner of Scotland v Fiji in quarter final 2 in Sydney on 1 Nvember. The loser will face France in Melbourne the following day in Quarter Final 3.
What they said
Eddie O’Sullivan (IRE)
On selection issues for Ireland's match against Australia:
"If we did anything less than pick our best team for Saturday it would be capitulating to a game we believe we can win."
"At this stage of the World Cup you should put your best foot forward every time.''
Eddie Jones (AUS)
On the selection of the side to play Ireland:
"The centres on the surface may appear to be defensive centres, but Matt Burke is certainly getting to his best."
"Elton Flatley's running this season is coming into place. He certainly isn't the most attacking of inside centres, but looking at a backline you look at the complementary skills of the backline."
"With the players we have we could have six different backlines but ultimately we have to pick the players that are complementary. We have to choose the running players, the passing players and defensive players.
"I don't think our selection is conservative at all. I think we are geared up to play the best attacking rugby we can."
On Wallaby tactics:
"Unpredictability comes from having a set of skills, I think we are getting towards that way, but we are moving in that direction in a positive way."
"We try to play the game as we see fit."
"If the game opens up, we will be able to use the ball. If doesn't, we will have to play another way."
On tonight's match against Ireland:
"They will come out with a very different approach. They will have something tactically in place in terms of defence and in terms of attack, they will play a very different game."
Match details
Australia v Ireland
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Match Officials:
Referee: Paddy O’Brien (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA), Iain Ramage (SCO)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (WAL)