Friday, August 22, 2008 - 7:12 PM

Bitter rivals the United States and Australia will contest the Olympics women's basketball final for the third straight time on Saturday with the underdog Opals looking to finally turn the tables.

The Americans won 74-63 in Athens four years ago and 76-54 in Sydney in 2000 and will start hot favourite again against the Australians, who are the reigning world champions from their triumph in Brazil in 2006.

The two sides were widely regarded as near certainties to contest the final before the Olympics began and they warmed up with a bruising encounter won 71-67 by the Americans that set the stage for a punishing physical battle in Beijing.

In the semi-finals, Australia took the luxury of resting injured forward Penny Taylor and still won with some ease 90-56.

The United States struggled early on in the first half against Russia, the side that stunned them in the last world championship semi-finals, before pulling away to win 67-52.

The Australians are confident key element Taylor will be fit enough to start in the final, having had time to recover from a twisted ankle. If not, her place will go to Jenni Screen, who filled in with style against the Chinese in the semis.

The Opals' other star player Lauren Jackson is also hurting with a painful right ankle that will require surgery after Beijing but she has said there was no way she would miss another tilt at the Americans.

"This doesn't stop me from playing but I am constantly hurting," the WNBA player said. "I'm used to playing while I'm injured."

Australian coach Jan Stirling admitted: "We are counting on her.

"We have to bring our 'A' game (against the United States). Any team who expects to beat them has to bring their 'A' game.

"We expect a hard physical game. We hope for a great spectacle for basketball."

Taylor said there was no doubt she would play.

"We know what we have to do and we did really well when we played them last time and we have improved since then. We have a lot of talent and more experience," she said.

US head coach Anne Donovan said that the Australians would provide the toughest of possible opponents.

"Our girls will be ready no matter who we play," she said.

"The media have been talking about USA versus Australia since the (pre-Olympic) Diamond Ball tournament."

The United States will be shooting for their sixth gold medal in the past seven, having only missed out in Barcelona in 1992 when they took bronze behind the Unified Team.