Big Benn back for Wallabies for Wales Test

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made eight changes to his starting team for Saturday night's Test against Wales in Brisbane.

World-class prop Benn Robinson on Saturday night will make his long-awaited Test comeback in an all-NSW front-row after coach Robbie Deans made wholesale changes to the battered Wallabies.

Ruled out of last year's World Cup by a knee injury which ruined his 2011 season, Robinson is one of eight new faces included in the Wallabies starting side for their clash with Six Nations champions Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

The 42-Test loose-head will team with Waratah teammates Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu up front as Australia attempt to regain credibility following Tuesday night's 9-6 upset loss to Scotland.

They are three of the five alterations to a new-look pack, while Deans - who admitted this was his strongest 15 available after resting several in Newcastle - has made three changes to his backline while keeping the faith in playmaker Berrick Barnes.

Robinson's last Test for the Wallabies was at the end of the 2010 Spring Tour when Australia scored a record 59-16 victory over France in Paris and would have been an automatic World Cup selection before requiring knee surgery.

"Personally, it's been a long while," the 27-year-old said. "It took a long time to get over (the injury) so to have a chance to put that (gold) jersey and get out with these boys - I'm stoked.

"Any chance you get - whether it's the World Cup, Scotland on Tuesday night or Saturday night (against Wales) - you are excited to put that jersey on and represent your country and play with your mates."

Fellow Waratah Wycliff Palu, who also endured an injury-riddled 2011, has been brought in at No.8 in a back-row reshuffle in which Scott Higginbotham moves to blind-side flanker and Dave Dennis shifts onto the bench.

Dennis will surprisingly fill the role as reserve second-rower with no specialist lock selected to cover for Rob Simmons and Nathan Sharpe as Sitaleki Timani was dumped.

Centres Pat McCabe and Rob Horne replace Queenslanders Mike Harris and Anthony Faingaa in the midfield, while utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper takes over from Luke Morahan at fullback.

Uncapped Brumbies halfback Nic White has been named as a reserve and will become the 860th Wallaby if he makes his debut off the bench.

Wales haven't beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil since their first match Down Under in 1969 but are for once better prepared and fancy their chances at the start of the three-Test series.

Wallabies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock (capt), Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris.

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