Warren Gatland is hopeful the lessons from Wales' past failures against Australia will enable them to end a 10-game losing streak against the Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup Pool A finale this weekend.

Wales have not beaten Australia since a 21-18 win in November 2008 but have only lost by five points or less in each of the last five meetings.

The winner of Saturday's clash at Twickenham will decide the winner of Pool A, who will avoid a quarter-final meeting with two-time champions South Africa.

Asked if there is pressure on his side because of the decisive nature of the encounter Gatland said: "I suppose it is a little bit. We aren't having to desperately win the game to reach the quarter-finals.

"But win this group and potentially the route through to the quarters, semis and finals is easier than the other side. We want to win to give us potentially a second-seed team in the quarter-final."

Although Wales have a poor recent record against Australia, Gatland's men have proven their mettle in recent times.

Wales beat South Africa for the first time in over 15 years last November and produced a fine late comeback to defeat hosts England 28-25 in their second Pool A match.

On the subject of his side's record against the Wallabies, Gatland added: "We haven't spoken about it at all. The last five times there has been a score in it. We've been ahead in games and we haven't been able to finish it off.

"You learn from those experiences and I'd like to think we have demonstrated that in the big games. In the autumn against South Africa, we closed that game down, and coming from behind against England in the last 20 minutes."