Gareth Thomas will lead Wales from fullback and veteran hooker Mefin Davies returns as the tourists look to level the Test series against Australia in Brisbane.

Thomas' move from the wing as he wins his 94th cap means no place for Neath-Swansea Ospreys' Lee Byrne, with coach Gareth Jenkins giving Newport-Gwent Dragons' Aled Brew the chance to lose the one-cap-wonder tag from his career record while Chris Czekaj switches to the right wing.

But up front Brent Cockbain's expectations of being fit to play against the country of his birth in his home state of Queensland have been dashed as he failed to recover from the head injury that forced him off in the 29-23 first Test defeat.

Michael Owen continues in the secondrow after taking over from Cockbain in the 35th minute at Telstra Stadium while Leicester-bound Davies comes in for Matthew Rees, who has returned home to be with wife Becky for their birth of their first child.

Jenkins was relieved to find centres Sonny Parker and Jamie Robinson fit for selection after hip injuries, but their partnership means no place in the starting line-up for Gavin Henson, who can expect to again see some action following his return to Test rugby last weekend.

Wales: G Thomas (ct); Czekaj, Robinson, Parker, Brew; Hook, Phillips; I Thomas, Davies, A Jones, Owen, Sidoli, Charvis, J Thomas, Gavin Thomas. Replacements: Jones, Hibbard, Morgan, Sowden-Taylor, Williams, Sweeney, Henson