The Wallabies, without late scratching Digby Ioane, are expecting a bruising battle as they look to preserve their unbeaten rugby tour record against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Ioane was ruled out on the eve of the Test with a shoulder injury sustained in last Sunday's 20-20 draw with Ireland in Dublin.

Ryan Cross replaces Ioane, with Lachie Turner promoted to the bench.

The injury is to his right shoulder, not the left which required a reconstruction earlier this year and sidelined Ioane for six months.

Coach Robbie Deans is hopeful the injury won't rule the explosive centre out next weekend's tour-ending Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium.

"The medical staff are pretty confident that it won't," Deans said.

"He took a knock last week and he prepared really well early in the week, but it just hasn't come back to full strength, so it's just precautionary really."

Australia have won their past 16 Tests against the Scots dating back to 1982, but are still expecting a tough day at the office with miserable conditions forecast after a rain-filled week in Edinburgh.

"Like most northern hemisphere sides, they've got a strong kicking game with their nine and 10. With that combination, they bring quite a direct approach from set piece," five-eighth Matt Giteau said.

"They've got two big centres and they like to use their wingers as well.

"So defensively it's going to be a big challenge, especially for the smaller guys like myself, Willie (Genia) and Quade (Cooper), because they do like to play quite direct."

Flanker George Smith is among just seven Australians to have faced the Scots previously.

"In the forwards, they're particularly strong in the scrum area," Smith said.

"Looking at past games, they've always had desired to try and compete in that area and they've done it well.

"Across the team, they attack the ball quite hard at the breakdown if they get the opportunity.

"So we're going to have to be diligent in that area, make sure the breakdown's clean and that the boys have intent there.

"Scotland are a side that don't give up and continue to try and attack the opposition, so we'll have our work cut out.

"They're a side that believes in their own ability and plays to their capabilities.

"They'll think they have a chance against us and that's the mentality they should come in with. It's going to be a tough match for us."

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Will Genia; Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom (capt); Mark Chisholm, James Horwill; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Lachie Turner, James O'Connor

Scotland: Rory Lamont; Sean Lamont, Alex Grove, Graeme Morrison, Simon Danielli; Phil Godman, Chris Cusiter (capt); Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Alastair Strokosch; Alastair Kellock, Nathan Hines; Moray Low, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen. Res: Dougie Hall, Kyle Traynor, Jason White, Richie Vernon, Mike Blair, Chris Paterson, Nick de Luca

Referee: Romain Poite (FRA)

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