Australia showed different skin against Wales – Cheika

But defeat against Australia, also unbeaten at this World Cup, would see Wales up against two-time world champions South Africa in the last eight.

Australia now march into the quarter-finals as the winners of Pool A with a ideal record of four wins from four outings in the “Pool of Death”.

“We respect their players massively and we have to make sure we isolate and try to get onto our ball”.

“I’m so proud of all the boys”.

“I don’t have any regrets, just credit to Australia’s defence”.

The losers, even if they beat the Springboks, will probably have to play holders New Zealand in the semi-finals.

And Wales will be showing the same level of respect, not underestimating any Wallabies team it faces – no matter who is in the line-up.

With the two-man advantage, Wales simply had to capitalise but Australia put on a 10-minute masterclass in last-ditch defence, resisting their opponents’ assault on their try-line with guts and organisation.

There should be plenty of broken-play ball for the backs to feed off, which bodes well for tries.

“Australia has lost to Scotland the last couple of times – and maybe that’s because they thought (it would be easier)”.

Wales dominated the opening quarter but all they had to show for it was Biggar’s fourth-minute penalty.

Genia had cynically tackled his opposite Gareth Davies, who had taken a quick tap, before Mumm joined him on the sidelines after grabbing hold of Alun Wyn Jones in the lineout.

And to rub salt into the wounds of a frustrated Wales, Australia raced up the other end and bagged a penalty in front of the posts which Foley duly dispatched. This mystifying substitution meant Pocock had to struggle on for another 10 minutes or so and he eventually had to leave the field. There was no muddled thinking or white-line fever as they calmly opted to allow Foley to slot the kick over for a 15-6 lead which they held to make it 11 successive victories over the Welsh.

Our own Foley secured our position, with his kicking the key to the night.

“It is tougher”, he said.

The Wallabies’ bid for an unprecedented third World Cup title is built on the type of defence which has made them a force in the competition for nearly three decades.

England might rather not be playing against minnows Uruguay after the onslaught of criticism they have faced since losing to Australia 33-13 last week.

Hooper, however, will miss Saturday’s match after receiving a one-week ban for shoulder-charging England full-back Mike Brown.

Australia fullback Israel Folau was passed fit after an ankle injury.

From Warren Gatland’s perspective, it is a streak of 10 losses that is serving as motivation for his Wales squad ahead of Saturday’s Pool A decider against Cheika’s Australians.

Elsewhere, prop Paul James returns from injury and replaces Gethin Jenkins, Samson Lee wears the number three shirt, Luke Charteris features at lock and skipper Sam Warburton moves to blindside flanker, with openside Justin Tipuric handed a start.