Australia put holidays out of mind as they aim to spoil Welsh party

Australia captain James Horwill insists his side are desperate to end 2011 on a high and will be putting any thoughts of their impending holidays to the back of their minds when they tackle Wales at the Millennium Stadium today.

The Wallabies will bring down the curtain on a year that has seen them play 13 Tests when they look to record a third consecutive Cardiff victory over a Wales side saying farewell to record try-scorer Shane Williams. While the timing of this two-match trip, which kicked off with last weekend’s win over the Barbarians, is less than ideal given it comes hot on the heels of a tough World Cup campaign, Queensland Reds lock Horwill has challenged his side to leave everything on the field before their end-of-season break.

“We have a lot of time off and plenty of time to think about it and we want to finish the year on the right note,” he said. “We are really looking forward to the game.”

The encounter will be Williams’ 87th and final appearance for his country, and is sure to be an emotional occasion as the Ospreys finisher heads into international retirement. Horwill knows that will make Warren Gatland’s side, who are also seeking revenge for their 21-18 defeat in the bronze medal match in New Zealand, dangerous opponents. “It will get the boys up,” he said. “Not only the Welsh crowd but his team-mates will want to send him out on the right note and that is a huge motivator for any group, to do it for a guy that has been such a huge part of Welsh rugby and done so much for the game here in Wales. They want to send him out on a high and I guess we are here to spoil that party.”

Australia, who will have James O’Connor starting at fly-half in a Test for the first time, have been forced into a late change as hamstring injury victim Rob Horne makes way for Anthony Fainga’a in the centre. But Horwill says the move has not disrupted Wallaby preparations. He said: “We have a very strong team. We are disappointed for Rob but Anthony has had opportunities in that 13 jersey and I am sure he will do a fantastic job.”

Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); R Priestland (Scarlets), L Williams (Cardiff Blues); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Subs: M Rees (Scarlets), R Bevington (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Knoyle (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).

Australia: A Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs); L Turner (NSW Waratahs), A Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), B Barnes (NSW Waratahs), D Ioane (Queensland Reds); J O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), W Genia (Queensland Reds); J Slipper (Queensland Reds), T Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), S Ma’afu (Western Force), J Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt), R Simmons (Queensland Reds), S Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), D Pocock (Western Force), B McCalman (Western Force). Subs: S Moore (ACT Brumbies), B Alexander (ACT Brumbies), N Sharpe (Western Force), R Samo (Queensland Reds), B Lucas (Queensland Reds), B Tapuai (Queensland Reds), N Phipps (Melbourne Rebels).

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).