Beale comes in at the expense of Melbourne match winner Mike Harris who has gone from hero to zero, having been omitted by Robbie Deans from the Australian match day squad after kicking the Wallabies to victory with the last kick of the game in the second Test.
Adam Ashley-Cooper has switched to wing to accommodate the mercurial Beale at full back. With Digby Ioane on the other wing, Australia possess an extremely potent back three where their first instinct is always to attack, which could spell danger to Wales’ hopes of recording a rare victory on Australian soil.
The Allianz Stadium in Sydney is Wales’ last chance to claim a much sought after southern hemisphere scalp on this tour and caretaker coach Rob Howley is fully aware of the threat Beale poses.
“It is red alert for us with Kurtley Beale back in the side – he gives us another problem to worry about,” Howley said.
“He is a world-class player who has huge ability to beat a man. We were very happy with our defence and line speed in Melbourne, but the addition of Sitileki Timani in the second row means they are looking for some more go-forward.
“Our possession statistics need to improve and we need to find greater accuracy and composure in our game at vital moments.”
