Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has handed veteran flanker Phil Waugh and rugby league convert Ryan Cross recalls for Saturday's European tour-defining Test with Wales at Millennium Stadium.

Having played second fiddle to long-time rival George Smith all year, Waugh was dropped from the squad altogether for last Saturday's win over France, with the 77-Test stalwart seemingly also falling behind young gun David Pocock in the openside pecking order.

The inclusion of the NSW Waratahs captain is one of five changes to the Wallabies starting side that edged out Les Bleus 18-13 in Paris.

Elsewhere in the forwards, Richard Brown has replaced injured No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder), Mark Chisholm comes into the second row and first-choice loosehead prop Benn Robinson returns after being rested against France.

To accommodate Chisholm, Hugh McMeniman has reverted to the back row, with Dean Mumm relegated to the bench.

The addition of Cross, who was struck down by a nasty bug in Paris, is the only change to the backline, where he replaces Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre.

Ashley-Cooper has been bracketed on the bench with Lote Tuqiri, with Deans undecided over which player he will retain as the Wallabies chase their 10th victory in their 14th and final Test of 2008.

Deans says his tinkering reflects both a desire to introduce some fresh legs and impetus at the back end of the Wallabies' longest tour in professional rugby history, while also providing opportunities for other squad members.

He insisted the Wallabies - who are seeking to sweep a four-Test European tour for the first time since 1996 - were not underestimating Wales, the reigning Six Nations champions.

"It's because of our respect for them that we have looked to inject some freshness into our group," Deans said on Tuesday.

"It's been a demanding four weeks, with four very hard Test matches back-to-back. To expect the same guys to carry the load right through is unrealistic, and could easily have compromised us."

Cross was delighted at being rushed straight back into the starting line-up after being the latest of scratchings from the French fixture.

He only started feeling unwell late afternoon on game day before throwing up for the last time right on kick-off at 9pm.

"I went and had a lie down and couldn't sleep, my guts started turning and then next thing it was just ... I knew something was wrong," he said.

"I couldn't sleep and then it started. No control so ... the doctor came in, gave me half an hour to see how I feel, gave me some things to try to settle me down.

"But I was no chance. It was pretty hard. The first time I've ever pulled out of a game in 10 years of footy.

"But I knew I wasn't right and I made the right decision for sure."

Cross said his greatest frustration had been the timing of his 12-hour virus.

"The national anthem is all I didn't see," he said. "I was in the toilet.

"At midnight, one o'clock I started to settle. So it was just a freak sort of thing."

Wallabies: Drew Mitchell, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Digby Ioane, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, Phil Waugh, Hugh McMeniman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Sam Cordingley, Quade Cooper, Lote Tuqiri or Ashley Ashley-Cooper.

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