Wholesale changes for Wallabies

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made eight changes to the starting line-up from the mid-week team for the first Test against Wales in Brisbane on Saturday.

Five new forwards and three new backs feature in the starting XV, from side that was defeated 9-6 by Scotland on Tuesday.

The alterations in the pack sees the all-Waratahs front row return to duty after not being required to back up from last weekend's Super Rugby round midweek, while the Reds lock Rob Simmons is reinstated for the injured Sitaleki Timani, after making an impact off the bench in Newcastle.

The changes mean loosehead prop Benn Robinson makes his first appearance since the record breaking 59-16 win over France  in 2010, having been forced to miss all of last year's Test programme due to a knee injury.

Fellow prop Sekope Kepu is also back after an injury enforced break, where an eye injury sustained in the World Cup semifinal ruled him out of the back-to-back Tests against Wales last year.

Tatafu Polota-Nau, who lines up between them at hooker, is one of nine members of the starting XV who also featured during Australia's 24-18 win over Wales in Cardiff last December.

The fifth alteration to the forward pack from that which started against Scotland is at the back of the scrum, where Wycliff Palu returns at No.8 in place of Scott Higginbotham, who shifts to blindside flank.

The backline unit named brings Ashley-Cooper into fullback for Luke Morahan, Rob Horne at centre moving Anthony Fainga'a to the bench, while Pat McCabe also returns to the midfield, taking over from Mike Harris.

Harris, who was one of six to make his Test debut in the Hopetoun Cup defeat by Scotland, has been named on a bench which also includes Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White.

White would become the 860th Wallaby if he is called on to make his Test debut.

The forward reserves named all now have Test experience, with loose forwards Michael Hooper and Dave Dennis having taken their maiden bows midweek. Dennis offers both back row and second row expertise, which has taken on added importance in light of the absence of the towering Timani.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nic White, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Mike Harris.

Date: Saturday, June 9

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)