Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made eight changes to his Australian team ahead of their World Cup third-place play-off match with Wales on Friday.

Kurtley Beale returns from injury to his usual fullback position, while Adam Ashley Cooper moves to midfield alongside Berrick Barnes.

Deans has chosen an entirely new front row of Salesi Ma'afu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and James Slipper, backed in the second row by captain James Horwill and Nathan Sharpe, who will win his 100th international cap.

The back row will be made up of Ben McCalman, David Pocock and Scott Higginbotham, with Radike Samo moving to the bench.

"They'll be up for it," Deans said. "They'll be excited. Obviously it's a short time from our last outing. There's still, for a large number, a hollow feeling inside, and to that end it's good to get an opportunity to get back out there so soon."

Australia: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill (c), Salesi Ma'afu, Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Luke Burgess, Anthony Fainga'a, Rob Horne