LONDON: Wallabies veteran Matt Giteau wants the team to use its match against Wales to build more World Cup momentum, declaring there was "absolutely" no thought of resting niggling injuries this weekend.
The Wallabies and Wales are guaranteed a place in the quarter finals after England was knocked out of the World Cup.
But both teams are rolling out full-strength sides in a bid to finish at the top of pool A and secure a smoother run through the play-offs.
Giteau was floored by a poorly-timed hit to the ribs by England playmaker Owen Farrell last weekend that left him writhing in pain on the ground.
Farrell was sent to the sin bin and Giteau says he got "caught in the moment" for a match-sealing swan-dive that hammered the final nail into England's World Cup coffin.
The sight of a flying Giteau was heartbreak for England fans, and the 98-Test veteran said: "It wasn't the smartest thing I've done".
"It hurt a bit but I got caught in the moment," Giteau grinned.
"That was the first thing Cheik said – he said it wasn't really smart. It was a good win for the boys. I think for me personally it was pretty tough that last 10 minutes hit me pretty square.
"Everyone at this time in the tournament has niggles, you've just got to get over them."
There were some doubts over Giteau's availability early in the week as he recovered from a brutal Test.
Fullback Israel Folau was also given last-minute clearance to keep the No. 15 jersey after battling an ankle injury all week.
Giteau will be tested with Wales throwing a monster midfield combination at the veteran, with Jamie Roberts and George North lining up to take their shot.
Both Roberts (110 kilograms) and North (107 kilograms) have a 20-plus kilogram weight advantage on 84 kilogram Giteau.
The clash against Wales will decide which team finishes atop the pool of death, with the winner setting up a quarter-final showdown with Scotland or Japan and the loser moving to the other side of the draw for battles with South Africa and New Zealand.
The match will also be Giteau's 99th Test for the Wallabies and he will bring up his century if he makes it through unscathed.
But the 33-year-old said there was no thought of self-preservation as the Wallabies aim to begin their World Cup charge.
"[Resting this week] wasn't even anything I'd thought of," Giteau said.
"It was never a case of missing the game, it was more selection and whether Cheik was going to go with [Matt Toomua] at No. 12.
"…For me, I've always felt fit enough to play. I think [Folau] was the other way, he was more touch and go. This game is serious for us, the competition is huge.
"There's no game you want to miss, you want to build momentum, continue to get better as a team and continue to build that momentum going through to the finals."
Cheika made three changes to the starting team for the match against Wales.
Sean McMahon comes into the No. 7 jersey to replace suspended vice-captain Michael Hooper while Drew Mitchell replaces Rob Horne (shoulder) and Dean Mumm starts at lock in place of Rob Simmons.
"It's huge [against Wales], they played exceptionally well against England and if we're a little bit off they'll take advantage," said Wallabies halfback Will Genia.
"If you're topping the pool, you avoid the half of the draw that's probably a bit more difficult."
"If you give Wales a sniff and your execution is poor, they can take control and change the momentum of a game."
