Australia name David Pocock at blindside for Wales clash

David Pocock will start at blindside flanker for the first time in his career when Australia will take on Wales at Principality Stadium on Saturday.

The decision comes following Dean Mumm's one-match ban after striking with elbow on New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick in the recent encounter between the teams.

This will also be Pocock's first start for Australia ever since he sustained a hand injury during the Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina in September and now he will join the likes of Michael Hooper and number eight Lopeti Timani.

Apart from Pocock, centre Tevita Kuridrani's inclusion is the only other change for Australia from their Bledisloe Cup 2016 clash against New Zealand at Eden Park last month. He will take the place of injured Samu Kerevi.

The 28-year-old said he is looking forward to the challenge of playing at six.

Reflecting on his changed role, Pocock said: "There is a bit of detail to learn, and it is exciting to be back out there.

"I do not think I have played at six before. It is a challenge for me and Hoops (Michael Hooper) to work it out, and we have done a bit in the last couple of days."

Australia have never lost a game to Wales in the last eight years and are currently on a 11-match unbeaten streak against them.

However, Michael Cheika played down the advantage and believes the performance in the field on Saturday is all that will count.

"I don't know if anyone is thinking about 12 in a row at a time when we have not won as many games as we should have this year.

"It has not popped up on anyone's radar.

"All that stuff is the past. It gives you nothing on Saturday, and it gives them (Wales) nothing. It is the two teams on match day putting what they consider to be their best rugby forward.

"The better team will win, and that is what it boils down to. The other stuff is nice fluff around the outside.

"You have got to think about what is next, not what is behind you. That is what we are doing."

Wales have released skipper Sam Warburton to help him gain some match practice with Cardiff Blues while Alun Wyn Jones will also miss the Saturday's game following the death of his father.

Despite, missing on key players, Cheika believes Wales have enough depth in the squad to challenge Australia.

"If Warburton is not there, (Justin) Tipuric is in any other national team. He is a quality openside, and (Ross) Moriarty is a dynamic player, a handful, and (Dan) Lydiate has form on the board as a strong defender.

"It is a complementary back-row. The two set-ups are different, and it will be a very interesting part of the game."