Folau prepared to play through niggle

Israel Folau - cropped

Australia full-back Israel Folau insists he is ready to face Wales in the Rugby World Cup Pool A decider, despite admitting he is not "100 per cent" fit.

Michael Cheika delayed naming his Australia team for Saturday's clash at Twickenham, which will see two teams battling to secure top spot and a favourable quarter-final meeting with Scotland or Japan rather than a daunting assignment against South Africa.

Folau was a concern for Cheika due to an ankle injury, but the code-hopping star has been selected and brushed off concerns over his fitness on Friday.

"It wasn't too serious," the 26-year-old said.

"I had a couple of days off during the week just to make sure everything was all right. I had a bit of a run-out with the guys yesterday [Thursday] and it felt pretty good."

"It's not 100 per cent but I'm confident, otherwise I wouldn't be strapping on the boots and going out there."

"I'm sure every player throughout the tournament gets little niggly injuries that you have to overcome as best you can but I'm definitely going to the game. It's the last thing on my mind.

"My body comes first. If I wasn't right I wouldn't play. It wouldn't be fair on the team at all, going out there and playing half-hearted. I feel like I can do the job and hopefully I can get through."

Folau participated in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and has been impressed by the scale of union's equivalent event.

"From my personal experience it's been a lot bigger than that [the Rugby League World Cup], he added.

"My expectations coming into the World Cup were met with what I've experienced so far, and I think it's only going to get a lot bigger as we get further into the tournament.

"I've been out of the game of rugby league for quite a long time now. Part of the reason why I wanted to sign on was for an event like this. It's great to be part of. I just want to enjoy every moment on and off the field."

Cheika, meanwhile, is expecting his side to be pushed to the limit physically by Wales.

"I feel it will be the most brutal game we have faced so far," said the coach. "I don't really expect anything else. My knowledge of tournament play is that the longer it goes on, the more brutal it gets."

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