Wales were accused of lacking motivation last week when they lost to Samoa, but David Campese, the 101-cap former Wallaby wing, ensured that the home side will lack nothing in desire today with a typically intemperate outburst which embarrassed and infuriated the Australia coach Rod Macqueen.
"Wales have no chance," said Campese. "They are vulnerable in key areas. There is nothing quite like the Welsh in full voice when Test matches come to Cardiff; they sing hymns and their national anthem and they pump out their chests with pride, but on Saturday night they need to be able to hum because there are no words to The Death March."
"I totally dissociate myself from those remarks," Macqueen said later. "David Campese is not speaking for the Australian nation nor our squad. We know just how hard it is going to be against Wales." Even harder now that Campo has blundered in, Macqueen's expression said.
Not that Wales should need any extra motivation. Their defeat against Samoa prompted a bout of intense introspection and their coach Graham Henry has warned several players, including Scott Gibbs, that their international careers are at stake.
Wales last made this stage in 1987 when they defeated England, going on to finish third by beating Australia in the play-off. It was their last victory over the Wallabies, six defeats following, most of them wretched including the 38-3 reverse in the 1991 World Cup.
That also followed a defeat against Samoa, but Wales were far weaker than they are today. They have won 10 of their last 11 matches, they have the considerable advantage of playing at home, and the incessant rain of the past three days will be a leveller.
Wales were tactically adrift against Samoa, but they are more comfortable without the tag of favourites.
"We're the underdogs but I think that suits us," explained full back Shane Howarth. "We don't enjoy being favourites and we'll relish the chance of taking on one of the top two sides in the world."
Wales will be content to let Australia make the running tactically and force mistakes.
Australia have spent the week working on their scrum, an area where Wales are expected to have an advantage, and on ensuring that they concede few penalties. "Neil Jenkins is a world-class goalkicker and we cannot afford to give him many chances," said Macqueen.
Jenkins will be winning his 73rd Wales cap, breaking the record set by Ieuan Evans last year. "This game is as big as my other 72 put together," said the out-half.
"It is Wales's most significant game in Cardiff since the 1905 victory over the All Blacks. I have played against Australia a number of times but this is the first occasion that the extent of our ambitions has not been to keep the score down."
If they are to win, Wales will need their half-backs, Jenkins and Robert Howley, to hit the right notes. Australia are vulnerable because they have lost Phil Kearns and Toutai Kefu from their pack while John Eales, barely used as a lineout target this tournament, has just overcome a groin strain.
Matt Burke, recently recovered from a shoulder injury, will be tested under the high ball, but Wales will need to shadow Australia's runners off the ball more effectively than they did against Japan and Samoa. They will also have to vary their lineout and challenge on Australia's throw.
"Wales have had a quiet World Cup," said Macqueen, whose experienced flanker David Wilson passed a fitness test yesterday. "I think they have been building up to this match for quite some time.
"The crowd will be noisily against us, but the players should have got used to that having played in South Africa and New Zealand this year."
Australia lost both those matches and they are the only one of the three major Southern Hemisphere nations who have lost to European opposition in the World Cup: France and Wales defeated them in 1987 and England won four years ago in Cape Town.
