Scarlets centre Davies won rave reviews for his performances on last summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand where he was named the player of the series.
Davies will partner Gloucester playmaker Owen Williams in a new look midfield partnership this Saturday against the Wallabies.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us especially defensively with another ball player in Owen Williams and of course the running threat of Jonathan Davies who is an excellent player and has been since I was coaching over here with Leinster,” said Cheika.
“He’s always been a threat and still is more than ever. He got the man of the series on the Lions tour so that just about says it all in terms of how good he is.”
Warren Gatland has selected a new-look team to face the 2015 World Cup finalists with Williams, openside flanker Josh Navidi and Scarlets flyer Steffan Evans all having won less than five Wales caps.
Cheika has named an experienced team with former Wasps man Kurtley Beale starting at full-back and Will Genia and Bernard Foley given the nod at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Michael Hooper will captain the Wallabies from openside flanker with Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu packing down at prop.
Cheika expects a tough encounter against Gatland’s side at Principality Stadium, identifying inside centre Williams as another potential threat.
“One thing I’ve learnt in my career is to expect anything to happen on any given day,” he said.
“Owen Williams is a fine player. He’s got a good kicking game, he’s got good footwork and he’ll threaten our defence.
“Not only with his ball play but he’s a really good runner as well. They might be a little bit different to how they’ve set up before, but the guys who played before could play as well.
“Navidi is a good player around the rucks and so is Taulupe Faletau. They’ve got a lot of experience in their pack of forwards of getting in there and spoiling the opposition’s rucks as well.
“We are going to be very focussed on that area of the game.”
Australia side to face Wales: Kurtley Beale; Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Reece Hodge, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (capt), Sean McMahon
Replacements: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Philip, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight
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WALES v AUSTRALIA – Saturday, 11 November 2017 (17:15)
WALES v GEORGIA – Saturday, 18 November 2017 (14:30)
WALES v NEW ZEALAND – Saturday, 25 November 2017 (17:15) SOLD OUT
WALES v SOUTH AFRICA – Saturday, 2 December 2017 (14:30)
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