Wales will be looking to gain revenge after the Wallaroos inflicted a 25-3 defeat in the pool phase.
Head coach Rhys Edwards’ hand was forced somewhat with prop Megan York ruled out due to concussion from Wednesday’s loss to New Zealand while centre Rebecca de Filippo has been suspended for two weeks after committing a tip tackle against the Kiwis.
As a result Catrin Edwards returns to the front row as tighthead prop while Elen Evans comes in at outside centre with Robyn Wilkins switching to inside centre.
The other changes see Lowri Harries replace Carys Phillips at hooker while Amy Day returns to scrum half in place of Sian Moore.
There the three changes to the bench with flanker Nia Davies joining wingers Elli Norkett and Rafiuke Taylor.
Edwards admitted he had to make some tough calls in selection, particularly at hooker and scrum half, for the final game of the World Cup campaign.
“Both positions have been very competitive,” he said. “Carys has really taken her opportunity and Lowri has made an impact off the bench. Going into this game it’s important we get the combinations right and also reward Lowri for her positive impact when she came on against New Zealand.
“At scrum half there is such a fine margin between the two – with Sian and Amy its quite specific in terms of their roles. Sian is very forthright in her approach and how she controls the forwards and again Amy has been really impressive when she has come on and raised the tempo of the game. If it wasn’t for her we would not have scored the fourth try against South Africa. So it’s been a very tough decision.”
Edwards is also hoping Evans’ return to action will ignite the backline.
“Elen is an established player at this level. She has been really unlucky not to feature in the last two games but with her re-establishing the Six Nations partnership with Robyn Wilkins, hopefully we will be able to create space out wide.”
Although Wales will go into the match as firm underdogs, Edwards is hoping his side can bounce back from the heavy defeat to New Zealand on Wednesday and finish off in style.
“The potential is that we could finish seventh which would be a huge achievement. We were taught a lesson by New Zealand. There is no reason why we can’t beat Australia and that is the incentive we have got as a group. We were really disappointed not to get the result against them first time round and we have learnt a lot since then – it’s time to show how far we have come,” he said.
Women’s Rugby World Cup:
Wales Women v Australia Women, Sun 16 Aug, 3pm (UK), Marcoussis
15 Laurie Harries (Llandaff North)
14 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic)
13 Elen Evans (Waterloo)
12 Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North)
11 Philippa Tuttiett (Bristol Ladies)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies)
9 Amy Day (Llandaff North));
8 Sioned Harries (Llandaff North)
7 Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies – Capt)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North)
5 Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic)
4 Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North)
3 Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies)
2 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
1 Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
Replacements:
16 Carys Phillips (Bristol Ladies)
17 Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies)
18 Nia Davies (Bristol Ladies)
19 Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies)
20 Dyddgu Hywel (Bristol Ladies)
21 Elli Norkett (Neath Athletic)
22 Rafiuke Taylor (Pontyclun Falcons)
