There have been six changes to the match day 23 that took to the field against Fiji last Sunday, with four of those changes being made to the stating 15.
Scarlet Tom Rogers replaces the injured Mason Grady to start on the wing (14), with Wales confirming earlier in the week that Grady has been withdrawn from the squad due to an ankle injury that will require surgery.
Try-scoring Ellis Bevan takes his place in the starting 15 replacing Tomos Williams who picked up an injury against Fiji, and will partner fly-half Gareth Anscombe. Aaron Wainwright is the only player to retain his spot in the back row as he starts at number 8, with blindside James Botham and openside Jac Morgan both elevated from the bench to the starting 15.
There is an unchanged front row or Gareth Thomas, captain Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin. Lake had an impressive game last week hitting 12/12 lineouts, carrying 12 times and making 14 tackles.
The second row is unchanged from Fiji with Will Rowlands and Adam Beard both starting. Rowlands made 10 carries for 40 metres against Fiji, while the pair made 22 tackles between them with Rowlands making 10 and Beard making 12.
The centres are unchanged with Cardiff Rugby’s Ben Thomas starting at inside centre and Gloucester Rugby’s Max Llewellyn keeps his place at outside centre.
Blair Murray, who scored his first try with his first touch on his Test debut, is retained on the wing. The impressive Cameron Winnett keeps the fullback spot after making 17 carries for over 100 metres, beating seven defenders in the process (the most of any Welsh player and joint-top in the game).
There are three changes among the Wales replacements: Tommy Reffell provides the back row cover, while Rhodri Williams is set for his first Test appearance in 10 years. Centre Eddie James joins fly-half Sam Costelow as the replacement backs.
Gatland said: “We have had honest reviews after last week’s match.
“We’re expecting an Australia side on a high after their win against England. They are a much-improved side since the summer and have played a number of Test matches since we last met. We know we need to put in an 80-minute performance on Sunday.”
Wales team to face Australia
15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 3 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
11. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 1 cap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 38 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 34 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 16 caps) captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 4 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 34 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 57 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 51 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 42 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 47 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
19. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 13 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 21 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 3 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 16 caps)
23. Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
