WALES (V AUSTRALIA)
L HALFPENNY (SCARLETS) G NORTH (OSPREYS) J DAVIES (SCARLETS) H PARKES (SCARLETS), J ADAMS (WORCESTER) G ANSCOMBE (CARDIFF BLUES) G DAVIES (SCARLETS) N SMITH (OSPREYS) K OWENS (SCARLETS) T FRANCIS (EXETER) A BEARD (OSPREYS) A W JONES (OSPREYS, CAPT) D LYDIATE (OSPREYS) J TIPURIC (OSPREYS) R MORIARTY (DRAGONS).
REPLACEMENTS: E DEE (DRAGONS), R EVANS (SCARLETS), D LEWIS (CARDIFF BLUES), C HILL (DRAGONS), E JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES), T WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES), D BIGGAR (NORTHAMPTON), L WILLIAMS (SARACENS).
AUSTRALIA LINE-UP:
ISRAEL Folau has been moved from centre to wing for Australia’s clash against Wales in Cardiff tomorrow. Folau, who filled the outside centre position against New Zealand last month, lines up in a back division which sees Samu Kerevi and Kurtley Beale chosen as Australia’s midfield combination. Marika Koroibete has been dropped from the 23 altogether.
In the pack, hooker Tolu Latu makes only his second Test match start - the first was against France in 2016 – while lock Adam Coleman and flanker Jack Dempsey also feature.
Coleman has recovered from a groin injury which meant he missed the All Blacks clash in Yokohama, and he partners Izack Rodda in the second row.
The Wallabies bench, meanwhile, includes hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and centre Matt Toomua, but there is no place for 116 times-capped back Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Australia are seeking a 14th successive victory against Wales, having not lost to them since a 21-18 reversal in Cardiff 10 years ago.
Coach Michael Cheika said Dempsey’s thirst to play showed in his cameo against the All Blacks in Japan, a Test return that came close to a year
“Dempsey was quite abrasive when he came on in the last game,” he said.
“He didn’t play a lot of time but it’s a good opportunity for him now, with three big games left in the year to have a starting role and re-acquaint himself with Test footy.
“Didn’t quite think he’d be playing in the last game but he showed, when he came to training, he was up for it.
“He was showing good form at training which is all I’ve really seen him in, those couple of weeks, and I thought it was worthwhile giving him an opportunity last week and I think he showed that he’s ready to take another step forward.”
As for Coleman, Cheika added: “Adam’s done really well for us since he’s come into the team really from a couple of years ago off not a lot of Super Rugby history.
“He started working his way into the team, he’s become a mainstay inside of the team and now I think that’s setting around for other players in that position to lift their game to try to challenge those two players who have a locking position.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s assistant coach Nathan Grey says his side are looking to improve their defensive play in the Cardiff clash.
“We’re certainly taking steps in the right direction around being able to put opposition under pressure when they’ve got the ball and look to be nice and physical and dominant in that area,” he said.
“But certainly, lots of work to do and we’re seeking that consistency.
“We’ve got our own standards that we really hold ourselves really true to and the players are really focused on achieving those and we’re confident that when we hit those consistently we’re going to be a very strong side.”
Australia: D Haylett-Petty; I Folau, S Kerevi, K Beale, S Naivalu; B Foley, W Genia; S Sio, T Latu, A Alaalatoa, I Rodda, A Coleman, J Dempsey, M Hooper (capt), D Pocock. Reps: T Polota-Nau, S Kepu, T Tupou, R Simmons, N Hanigan, N Phipps, M Toomua, J Maddocks.