Kurtley Beale has been named to make his Test return for the Wallabies against Wales in Sydney on Saturday despite having an assault charge hanging over his head.
With the three-match series against Wales already wrapped up heading into game three at Allianz Stadium, Beale makes his comeback from a shoulder injury and will slot straight in at fullback, pushing Adam Ashley-Cooper to the wing.
Beale was hit last week with one charge of common assault for his role in a nightclub incident in Brisbane on the Thursday night preceding the first Test against Wales at Suncorp Stadium.
It will be Beale's first Wallabies appearance since the bronze medal playoff against Wales at last year's World Cup.
The Melbourne Rebels star utility has battled hamstring and shoulder problems since the World Cup, and coach Robbie Deans said Beale had proven on the training paddock that he was ready for a recall.
"It has been frustrating for Kurtley, and he's obviously had some off-field challenges to deal with as well, but it was important for all concerned that he had full confidence in his shoulder before we looked at re-introducing him to the Test arena," said Deans.
Ashley-Cooper takes Cooper Vuna's place on the wing while, in other changes, game two goal-kicking hero Mike Harris has been dropped from the bench.
NSW Waratahs giant Sitaleki Timani has been recalled to the starting second-row, with Rob Simmons moving back to the bench.
The Wallabies have gone for a five-two split on the interchange bench, with Queensland centre Anthony Faingaa the cover for the outside backs.
Despite retaining the James Bevan Trophy for a third time in succession following last weekend's win in Melbourne, Deans insists the changes for the dead-rubber are not cosmetic, but are designed to strengthen his side.
Vuna was lucky to evade suspension on Monday after being yellow-carded for a collision with the airborne Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny.
Harris stepped up to kick the winning goal from a wide angle after the final siren in Melbourne but still received the axe.
Wallabies team: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock (capt), Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Faingaa.
