THOSE in red and their counterparts in god have denied it the build-up but the spectre of the Springboks and All Blacks looms large over Twickenham today.

Whether it has been 'strewth, we just want to keep our momentum' or 'we just want to keep the ball rolling, butt', thoughts of World Cup quarter-finals are in the minds of both camps despite the denials.

Topping Pool A is intertwined with avoiding South Africa and then potentially New Zealand. Both Wales and Australia have the ability to go deep in the tournament and the odds of today's winners will shorten come the last blast of Craig Joubert's whistle.

They both have the ability to beat the Boks – and have done so in the past 12 months – but a meeting with Scotland (or perhaps Japan) is preferable.

It's not all doom and gloom for today's losers but realistically they become outsiders to be running out again at Twickenham on Saturday, October 31.

Wales upset the odds to triumph on London a fortnight ago, rallying from a ten-point deficit and a crippling injury list to put England on the ropes before the Wallabies applied the knockout blow, and they must do the same again this evening.

They have played Australia with incredible frequency in the reign of Warren Gatland without success. As is well documented it is 10 losses on the spin since beating them in Cardiff in 2008.

The gap is narrowing, we have often been told, but the progress has stalled in recent times – Wales have been within a score in the last five meetings but have not got over the line.

Can they do it this time? Of course, but they need to go up a few notches from the performance against England.

The set piece spluttered against the hosts and versus Fiji the following week and Gatland has made changes with Paul James and Samson Lee coming in either side of hooker Scott Baldwin.

The Aussies have made great strides under Argentine scrum guru Mario Ledesma and it will be grim if their classy backs operate off a solid platform and their superb loose forwards are able to exploit a Welsh attack going backwards.

Behind the front row Gatland finally fields his best second row partnership with Luke Charteris, who has been immense off the bench, coming in alongside Alun Wyn Jones at the expense of Bradley Davies.

Then there is the inclusion of Justin Tipuric, who deserves his chance even if the triumvirate of Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau has been exceptional.

The Ospreys man will ensure Wales can compete fiercely at the breakdown with the Aussies – arguably the best in the world in that aspect – and he will add an extra dimension in attack.

With Liam Williams given freedom to roam off the wing, full-back Gareth Anscombe another option as second receiver and George North poised for more touches from midfield, Gatland's team should pose plenty of questions with ball in hand.

But they must also be shrewd when putting boot to leather – the Aussies have great ball players but they also are smart in the territorial battle and strong in the kick-chase.

Today looked likely to be a decider and it will still be tense, even though safe passage from the group of death is secure.

Wales have the belief and sheer bloody-mindedness to take the spoils but it would be a surprise if come 7pm we are contemplating a showdown with Scotland rather than the resurgent Springboks.

Wales: G Anscombe, A Cuthbert, G North, J Roberts, L Williams, D Biggar, G Davies, P James, S Baldwin, S Lee, L Charteris, A W Jones, S Warburton (captain), J Tipuric, T Faletau. Replacements: K Owens, A Jarvis, T Francis, J Ball, R Moriarty, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

Australia: I Folau, A Ashley-Cooper, T Kuridrani, M Giteau, D Mitchell, B Foley, W Genia, S Sio, S Moore (captain), S Kepu, K Douglas, D Mumm, S Fardy, S McMahon, D Pocock. Replacements: T Polota-Nau, J Slipper, G Holmes, R Simmons, B McCalman, N Phipps, M Toomua, K Beale.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)