The Wallabies are putting faith in their back-line depth to rise to the challenge against Wales as they brace for combination changes, but are confident veteran Matt Giteau won't join a growing injury list.
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The Wallabies face their biggest stumbling block of the World Cup when they face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEDT).
Vice-captain Michael Hooper is suspended, while the back line has hit an injury hurdle with Israel Folau (ankle), Rob Horne (shoulder) and Giteau (ribs) all fighting to be fit for the clash.
The Wallabies and Wales have confirmed their place in the quarter-finals. But the winner of the ‘pool of death’ decider will get a smoother path through the play-offs and avoid New Zealand and South Africa until the final.
Giteau was left writhing in pain after England playmaker Owen Farrell hit him without the ball in the Wallabies' 33-13 win last weekend.
ACT Brumbies pivot Matt Toomua looms as the most likely candidate to fill Giteau's shoes if the 98-Test veteran is unable to take his place at inside centre against Wales.
Giteau has been in superb form. He has formed a strong midfield combination with Bernard Foley, who scored 28 points against England, but veteran star Adam Ashley-Cooper is confident the Wallabies have the depth the cover any backline absences.
Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell loom as the likely replacements for Folau and Horne.
Wales have been hit by several injuries to their World Cup campaign, but are expected to have a full squad to pick from for the match against Australia.
The winner will finish at the top of pool A and set up a quarter-final contest with either Scotland or Japan.
The loser will switch to the other side of the draw and play South Africa in the quarter-final before a potential showdown with New Zealand in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, in Mount Isa the Warrigals play Cloncurry at Rugby Park at 6pm today, followed by the Keas v Euros.
