McBryde: Wanted a place in the final

But Wales, the tournament's dominant British and Irish team, are determined to bow out with a flourish by equalling their third place finish - at Australia's expense - in 1987.

"It's not the game we want to be in, but let's make a good go of it," Wales assistant coach McBryde said.

"We're not taking the Australian team lightly. We know it's going to be a battle, and it's a game that we need to win.

"We can create a bit of history away from home, so it's not all lost. But we will look forward to getting that welcome home back in Wales after a win on Friday night."

Most pundits have predicted an open, running spectacle between two teams renowned for their admirable attacking instincts.

And McBryde added: "If it's going to be a running, open game we've got enough to last the pace. We've finished all our games pretty strongly."

Stephen Jones, meanwhile, who will provide fly-half cover for James Hook on the replacements' bench tomorrow, underlined Wales' desire to end strongly in front of an Eden Park crowd likely to be around 55,000.

"We want to make sure we are successful, and we want to finish third in this competition," Jones said.

"There are a lot of proud people in this squad and people back home who want us to do well, and we have to make sure that we perform.

"We are playing in a World Cup game. You are putting the Welsh jersey on, and that's a massive honour. Whenever you put that jersey on, you have a responsibility to it.

"I am enjoying playing for Wales and being part of this fantastic squad.

"There is a great group of youngsters coming through, and I'm enjoying it.

"If I get the opportunity to put the Welsh jersey on again, that will be fantastic. But I'm just enjoying my rugby, and that's what counts for me at the moment."