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“Tolu is certainly aware around how to deal with those situations and keep himself under control but for him personally it’s understanding how does that impact the team,” Grey said. “He understands how things went with that yellow card that it was pretty costly for us.”
Meanwhile, Ned Hanigan has been dropped to the bench in place of Dempsey in what will be the 24-year-old’s first start in a gold jersey since the third Bledisloe fixture against New Zealand in Brisbane last year.
Dempsey will be raring to go ahead of what will be his first starting opportunity against a northern hemisphere side.
Adam Coleman has also been cleared to play and takes Rob Simmons’ spot in the second row alongside Izack Rodda.
Cheika has tweaked his back line, with Kerevi slotting in at No.13 for the first time since Australia’s June Test against Ireland in Sydney.
His excellent cameo off the bench in Yokohama forced Cheika’s hand, meaning Israel Folau will move back to the wing and Dane Haylett-Petty stays at fullback for a seventh consecutive Test.
After changing playmakers throughout the Rugby Championship, the Wallabies will stick with Bernard Foley (No.10) and Kurtley Beale (No.12) in their regular positions to go with Matt Toomua on the bench alongside other spare backs Jack Maddocks and Nick Phipps.
There are minor changes on the bench, with Polota-Nau the most notable inclusion and Rory Arnold the biggest omission.
Sekope Kepu and Taniela Tupou are the team’s reserve props, showing once again a clear plan to develop Kepu on the other side of the scrum.
The Wallabies will be looking to continue their 13-game winning streak against Wales but the home side will be confident they can get the job done against the men in gold for the first time since 2008.
Local bookies have Wales, who have won their last six Tests, as narrow favourites for the match.
Warren Gatland’s men are coming off a 21-10 win over Scotland, which was their first victory to begin an autumn internationals campaign since 2002.
Australia are desperate for a win after a year which has seen them come away with victory just three times in 10 matches. Wales’ win over Scotland pushed Australia up to sixth on the world rankings but less than a year out from the World Cup it is a position they certainly do not want to be in.
After the Wales game Australia will travel to Padua to take on Italy before a final showdown at Twickenham against England.
Wallabies team to face Wales
1. Scott Sio (52 Tests)
2. Tolu Latu (10 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (30 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (14 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (28 Tests)
6. Jack Dempsey (7 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (capt) (88 Tests)
8. David Pobad (75 Tests)
9. Will Genia (97 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (65 Tests)
11. Sefa Naivalu (8 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (81 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (22 Tests)
14. Israel Folau (70 Tests)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (28 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (86 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (100 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (9 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (91 Tests)
20. Ned Hanigan (18 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (70 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (39 Tests)
23. Jack Maddocks (5 Tests)
Tom Decent is a journalist with Fairfax Media.
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