Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales want third for Sam Warburton - Hook

James Hook consoles Sam Warburton after Wales' semi-final loss to France

Wales will dedicate their final game of the World Cup to banned captain Sam Warburton when they aim to beat Australia to third place on Friday.

Warburton was sent off for a dangerous tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc in their semi-final loss.

"We said at half-time during the game with France that we wanted to do it for Sam," Wales fly-half James Hook said.

"It didn't happen but he has been immense, not just in the World Cup but since he started playing for Wales."

Hook gains another chance at fly-half for Friday's third-place play-off in Auckland, retained in the critical playmaker's role despite a scratchy performance against France.

The Perpignan-bound star missed two of his three kicks at goal and he was then replaced by Stephen Jones just after half-time as Wales looked to keep alive their World Cup hopes.

"It was bitterly disappointing in the last game for everyone and especially for myself," Hook added.

"I am delighted to get an opportunity to put it behind me and get on with what should be a huge challenge on Friday night.

"Obviously the missed kicks proved vital at the end of a game we lost by a point. That is what it came down to at the end of the day.

"It was difficult when we were down to 14 men, but we are not making excuses for Sam or myself. We've all taken it on the chin and realised how disappointed we are.

"We know the size of the challenge we face to come third in this tournament and to finish on a high."

While the semi-final defeat was a great opportunity missed, a youthful Wales side would appear to be in good shape for another World Cup assault in England in 2015.

"There is no reason why we cannot have a go in four years' time," Hook said.

"The semi-final loss is tough to take, but this team can go on and become a better team and get to these positions in future.

"It is important to keep our confidence up and express ourselves the way we have done throughout the tournament.

"If we can claim a Tri-Nations scalp in the southern hemisphere that will give us massive confidence going into the Six Nations later this season.

"It's been a good tournament for us - we would have taken this at the start - but we lost a semi-final and we want to go home with something."