The revitalised, new-era Wallabies are intent on keeping their foot on the throat to avoid a disastrous banana-skin slip-up against one-time minnows Georgia.
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Embarrassingly ousted from last year's World Cup before the knockout stages, Australia have made a promising if unspectacular start under savvy New Zealand coach Joe Schmidt.
Two tight wins over an understrength Wales have generated some desperately needed goodwill and excitement among previously disgruntled and disillusioned fans.
But the fact remains the Wallabies are still lowly ranked at world No.9, just three spots above the Georgians, who enter the Test heartened by a 25-23 upset win over Eddie Jones' Japan last Saturday in Sendai.
Sydney hasn't been a happy hunting ground either for the Wallabies over the past decade, with the home team winning only one of 12 Tests in the NSW capital before this month's 26-17 triumph over Wales.
Skipper Allan Alaalatoa knows the importance of the Wallabies not falling to the eastern Europeans, like they've lost to Scotland, England, Argentina, South Africa and repeatedly New Zealand in Sydney in recent years.
"It's massive and something that we addressed early in the week," Alaalatoa said at Friday's captain's run.
"We've purely made this week all about us and understanding the reason to why that we've put it into performances the last couple of games against Wales.
"But we've also addressed some tough learnings that we need to be better heading into Georgia tomorrow.
"So we understand that Georgia are a bloody good team."
Coached by hard-nosed former England hooker Richard Cockerill, the Lelos boast a particularly formidable forward pack and have vowed to target Australia's vulnerable driving maul.
"That's going to be a massive battle," Alaalatoa said.
"George are very physical up front, especially in their set piece.
"So that's been an area of improvement for us over the last couple of games and, as a forward pack, we've worked hard in that all week because you know it's going to a tough battle, especially in the set piece tomorrow.
"So we're going to be in for a physical game, which is what we're ready for."
The match is Australia's last before the Rugby Championship, which includes showdowns with the top-ranked Springboks and arch-rivals the All Blacks and gets underway on August 10 in Brisbane.
"Our growth is getting better every day and we haven't thought any further than tomorrow against the Georgians," the skipper said.
"It's been a tough week and there's been some great learnings and training and that's put us in good stead to go out there and continue to grow and be better."
Alaalatoa will captain the Wallabies for the first time in his home city after taking over from fellow prop James Slipper.
"To have the armband on tomorrow, it's a huge," said the West Harbour product.
"I've got a lot of family coming out tomorrow and it's really special for myself, but also for them as well and I know my parents can't wait."
Adding a World Cup victory over Portugal to their twin successes against Wales, the Wallabies are chasing four straight Test wins for the first time since 2021 under Schmidt's fellow Kiwi Dave Rennie.
Australian Associated Press
