Coach Robbie Deans says the total domination of Wales on home soil is motivation enough for Australia as they aim for a clean-sweep of the Six Nations Champions in Sydney on Saturday.
But Deans said the Wallabies should look towards the coming Bledisloe Cup campaign against New Zealand and even the 2015 Rugby World Cup if they’re in need of added incentive to bury the Welsh.
Continuing 43 years of Welsh misery in Australia is crucial on a number of fronts.
International results in 2012 will have an impact on seedings for the next World Cup and the Wallabies don’t want too many more slip ups like they suffered against Scotland.
But more immediately, Deans is acutely aware of taking momentum into the Rugby Championship – especially given the Wallabies walk immediately into back-to-back games against the All Blacks.
“Sure this series has been wrapped up … but it’s our last outing before we gather to play two fixtures against the All Blacks … and that’s obviously our next focus, our next priority,” said Deans.
“We’re very keen to finish this series on a good note.
“Not only do we not want to provide encouragement to the Welsh but it’s also relevant by IRB standards (for World Cup rankings), which is going on in the background.”
Given the embarrassments suffered in recent years against Samoa, Ireland and Scotland, the Wallabies also recognise the importance of not giving rivals an inch.
Australia boast an outstanding record over Wales, both in recent times and throughout history.
They defeated the Welsh twice within 43 days last year – first in the bronze match at the World Cup and then for the James Bevan Trophy Test in December.
The Wallabies are unbeaten against Wales in their past six meetings and the only game they’ve ever dropped against The Red Dragons at home was way back in 1969.
Deans said the Wallabies needed to fight to maintain those records.
“It’s very important. You’ve got to take pride in what you do. We don’t want to have that sense of looking over your shoulder at a job half done,” he said.
“This will be a gem of a game in every way. You’ve got one side wanting to make a statement before they leave.
“They’re going to spare nothing. They’re going to look to empty the tank and walk away with their heads held high.”
The return of star fullback Kurtley Beale will add another dimension to the Wallabies attack, but Deans said defence would still be the key focus against a team that prides themselves on preventing tries.
Wallabies skipper David Pocock said the team wasn’t happy overall with their get-out-of-jail effort in the second Test in Melbourne and aren’t treating the match as a dead rubber.
Pocock said the Wallabies will relish the chance to play a day game at a packed Allianz Stadium, which hasn’t hosted a Test since 1998 when it was known as the Sydney Football Stadium.
“They’re a proud team and a classy team and … we’re expecting a pretty fired up Welsh team,” Pocock said.
“Any game where you’re representing Australia you don’t need to motivate guys very much, they’ll get up for it.”