RUGBY/International team news: Australia have named an experimental team, including a reshuffled back line and a new captain in Phil Waugh, for tomorrow's Test against Wales in Cardiff.
Coach John Connolly kept true to his word that he would use the end-of-season tour - they play Ireland on November 19th - to try players in different positions.
Centre Matt Giteau is at scrumhalf after George Gregan decided to skip the tour while former rugby league international Mat Rogers was handed the outhalf role.
The Wallabies' regular number 10, Stephen Larkham, is at inside centre alongside Lote Tuqiri, who normally plays on the wing and is back from a five-game suspension.
Cameron Shepherd earned a spot on the wing ahead of Mark Gerrard and Scott Staniforth after being one of the few players to impress in the Australian As' embarrassing loss to the Ospreys on Wednesday.
Waugh was named as skipper after holding out George Smith for the openside flanker's shirt.
"Phil has been a tremendous player for Australia rugby. He's one of those players who wears their heart on their sleeve and he thoroughly deserves his chance to captain his country," Connolly said.
"We have full confidence in the players we have selected, though this tour is about looking at different options.
"We don't want to sell anyone short but we understand that there is a very important year coming up ahead of the World Cup and we want to have a better idea about this squad.
"We need to see if Matt can play scrumhalf, if Stephen Larkham can play at 12 and a number of issues among the forwards. That's why George Smith is not in the 22-man squad."
Wales beat the Wallabies a year ago, and the teams will meet again next September in the group stage of the World Cup.
Connolly said: "It has been a while since Wales were at full strength but now that they are we are expecting a very tough contest."
Scott Johnson, meanwhile, has given a ringing endorsement of Stephen Jones as the new Wales captain and backed his former charges to be "genuine World Cup contenders" next year.
Having left the Wales set-up earlier this year, Johnson is now in the Australia camp. But he admits it is tough to be masterminding the downfall of a group of players with whom he shared friendships.
And there was no hiding the pride Johnson still holds for the squad he helped transform into 2005 Grand Slam champions.
Johnson said: "Your admiration doesn't cease when you've been away . . . I had a special bond with a group of kids over four years, and then you come back and have to coach against them. It feels odd.
"This group of Welsh players are special for integrity. They are a special group.
"I think Gareth Thomas epitomises everything in Wales that I love. He is a kid that had a second chance and I saw him represent himself and his country so well in that time. Now the decision has been made for Stephen, I can really say the same thing.
"Stephen Jones is an upbeat kid. His Welshness is a great thing but he is worldly enough to accept the difference of others.
"He is an energiser and that adds to the squad. You always want a captain that represents what your team is. Stephen Jones is a perfect example of what that team is."
AUSTRALIA: C Latham (Queensland Reds); C Rathbone (ACT Brumbies), L Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs), S Larkham (ACT Brumbies), C Shepherd (Western Force); M Rogers (NSW Waratahs), M Giteau (Western Force); A Baxter (NSW Waratahs), T McIsaac (Western Force), R Blake (Queensland Reds); N Sharpe (Western Force), D Vickerman (NSW Waratahs); R Elsom (NSW Waratahs), P Waugh (NSW Waratahs, captain), W Palu (NSW Waratahs). Replacements: B Cannon (Western Force), B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), S Hoiles (ACT Brumbies), J Valentine (Queensland Reds), M Gerrard (ACT Brumbies), A Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies).
