Despite Wales winning the hearts of those watching the World Cup, their New Zealand adventure ended in downbeat fashion as they failed to squeeze past France in their semi-final and then lost to Australia in the fight for a bronze medal.

The Wallabies ran out 21-18 victors at Eden Park a little over a month ago but Lydiate and co get a chance to get their own back when the two sides face off against each other again in Cardiff.

And with the 2012 RBS 6 Nations fast approaching, the 23-year-old flanker is looking to kickstart their preparations in the best way possible.

"It's good we get another chance to play Australia after the disappointment of that last game," Lydiate said.

"We had a really good chance to do something special at the World Cup, and it didn't happen. We have only got ourselves to blame for that.

"It is disappointing when you think what could have been, but you can't dwell on what has happened.

"You have got to push on, and this is a perfect opportunity for us on the weekend to build on what good did come from the World Cup.

"There are a lot of young guys in the squad, and that tournament gave them a lot of exposure at the highest level you can play at and on the biggest stage.

"Every game we go into now we go out there without any fear. We are not happy just to go out and compete, we are going out to get a result every game.

"For me personally this weekend, it's the coal-face, head down, backside up and get on with it.

"We want to put on a good show, especially with it being our first hit-up after the World Cup.

"We can't just say we were good in the last World Cup, we have got to keep pushing.

"The training we did before the World Cup has set the bar for us. We are going to have to keep pushing past that level if we want to keep improving, because there are going to be other teams in the world doing the same."