Dunning's surprise chance for redemption

CARDIFF - Shaken Wallabies rugby prop Matt Dunning has gained a surprise chance to exorcise his Twickenham demons against Wales at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Dunning has been selected to return at loosehead at the expense of rookie Greg Holmes in the only change to the Australian starting team which overpowered Ireland 30-14 at Lansdowne Road.

Coach Eddie Jones has also slightly altered his bench after deciding George Gregan's long-serving deputy Chris Whitaker was showing better form in his limited time at halfback than youngster Matt Henjak.

Both moves come after Jones previously indicated he was keen to retain the same players which did the job in a 27-point second-half against the Irish.

For Dunning it's an immediate chance for redemption and to regain confidence after being a part of the front row that was demolished and demoralised by England at Twickenham a fortnight ago.

The 26-year-old was stretchered off and sent to hospital following a collapsed scrum, which he described as "scary", after being forced to take a sinbinned Al Baxter's place at tighthead.

Although eventually cleared of serious injury, Dunning was ruled out of the Irish test with a neck strain and appeared to be on the outer again after Holmes combined strongly with scrum specialist Dave Fitter and hooker Brendan Cannon.

But Jones is keen to utilise the New South Wales' prop's 24 caps of experience and get him back on the horse after the torrid English workout.

"While we were extremely happy with the way Greg Holmes played against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, we'll need Matt Dunning's experience at loosehead prop on Saturday," he said.

"It's a tough call on Holmes, but he's a young player and this tour has been a great experience for him."

In a test that could well be both Gregan's 118th and last, Jones reasoned Whitaker, 31, deserved to return to the bench after shading Australia A starter Henjak, 23, in almost 30 minutes as a replacement against France and England.

"We've given both guys equal game time on the field, if you take into account the Australia A match as well, and we feel Chris Whitaker's form has been a little bit better than Matt Henjak's," he said.

"But we have been really impressed with him on tour and expect him to go back and start with the Force and then really push for a spot next year."

The Wallabies are crossing their fingers playmaker Mat Rogers can shrug off a knee problem and train strongly today and tomorrow to prove his fitness.

Jones is confident that Rogers will be right for the match, to be played in freezing conditions on a Cardiff night when snow is a strong possibility.

In a major understatement, he admitted it would be a "big ask" for 20-year-old, 106kg centre Lloyd Johansson to slip into his shoes otherwise.

Strong-running outside centre Matthew Watkins is the only new face in the Welsh starting side which scared South Africa last weekend before falling 33-16.

Captain Gareth Thomas moves from the midfield to fullback to make way for Watkins, who made an impact as a reserve against the Springboks, while Lee Byrne is dropped to the bench.

Teams

Australia: Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Drew Mitchell, Mat Rogers, George Gregan (capt); George Smith, Phil Waugh, John Roe, Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman, David Fitter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Scott Fava, Chris Whitaker, Lloyd Johansson, Wendell Sailor.

Wales: Gareth Thomas (capt), Dafydd James, Matthew Watkins, Sonny Parker, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Robert Sidoli, Ian Gough, Chris Horsman, Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones. Reserves: Mefin Davies, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Mike Phillips, Ceri Sweeney, Lee Byrne.

- AAP