Melbourne Rebels fullback Kurtley Beale will play against Wales this weekend after he was named in the starting line up for the first time since last year's rugby World Cup.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has carefully managed Beale's return, resisting the temptation to bring him back early after injuries among Australia's backline resources left the Wallabies dangerously thin on available playmaking options.
A rousing work out on the training field last Sunday, which included a searching series of contact drills, convinced the Wallabies coaching and medical team that Beale was ready to go.
"It has been frustrating for Kurtley, and he's obviously had some off-field challenges to deal with as well, but it was important for all concerned that he had full confidence in his shoulder before we looked at re-introducing him to the Test arena," Deans says.
Beale's return has necessitated a switch for the versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper.
After being employed at fullback for the first two Tests of the Wales Tour, the first-season New South Wales Waratah will plie his trade from the wing in his maiden Test at the Waratahs home ground.
Ashley-Cooper is one of eight Waratahs named in the run on side for Saturday's Test, which is the first to be played by the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium since a 3-0 sweep of the All Blacks was completed by a 19-14 win at the then Sydney Football Stadium in the final Test of the 1998 series.
Another Waratah, the towering second rower Sitaleki Timani, returns to the side after missing the first two Tests of the James Bevan Trophy series.
He takes the place of Rob Simmons who drops to the bench.
Australia clinched the series against Six Nations champion Wales with a 25-23 win at Melbourne on Saturday, after claiming the opening match at Brisbane 27-19.
Australia
15. Kurtley Beale ,14. Adam Ashley-Cooper ,13. Rob Horne ,12. Pat McCabe ,11. Digby Ioane ,10. Berrick Barnes9. Will Genia ,8. Wycliff Palu ,7. David Pocock (captain),6. Scott Higginbotham ,5. Nathan Sharpe ,4. Sitaleki Timani ,3. Sekope Kepu ,2. Tatafu Polota Nau ,1. Benn Robinson ,
Replacements:16. Stephen Moore ,17. Ben Alexander ,18. Rob Simmons ,19. Dave Dennis ,20. Michael Hooper ,21. Nic White ,22. Anthony Fainga'a
