Jones makes four changes to Wallabies

Wallabies rugby coach Eddie Jones has come as close as he's likely to a radical team reshuffle after making four changes for their opening Tri-Nations match against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.

Jones, who is usually conservative with team selections when injuries don't force his hand, today reacted strongly to the Wallabies' disappointing 20-33 loss to the Springboks last Saturday.

There's been three changes in the forwards, who were outplayed at Ellis Park.

Lock Dan Vickerman replaces Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning comes in for fellow prop Al Baxter and backup No 8 John Roe squeezes Rocky Elsom out of blindside flanker.

Morgan Turinui replaces Stirling Mortlock at centre.

Vickerman's selection comes as no surprise after playing most of the second half in his return to rugby last week, but the other forward selections are something of a bolt from the blue.

Roe, a regular No 8 with the Queensland Reds, has spent little time on the flank since Toutai Kefu left the sunshine state in 2004.

With Elsom dropping out of the 22 it's a gamble from Jones, who will gain more mobility but definitely lose a more viable third lineout jumper.

Fellow flanker Phil Waugh should see plenty of game time from the bench.

The lineout was one of Australia's achilles heels last Saturday, the Wallabies at one stage losing four off their own throw in a row.

Jones said the Australians would have to pick up in two major areas at Loftus.

"We were very disappointed with the way we executed the lineout in the second half and secondly our defence," said Jones, who put the lineout problems down to a lack of execution and technique.

"Our defence has been a hallmark of our game and for some inexplicable reason on the weekend we missed more tackles in the first 20 minutes then we've probably missed all season in four games."

It's a rare exclusion from the starting side for Baxter who has had a mortgage on the No 3 jersey since replacing Ben Darwin in the semifinal of the 2003 World Cup.

Jones will instead look to the improving Dunning to give the side more punch in the opening period after the Wallabies' lethargic start in Johannesburg.

Turinui had been in good touch after an outstanding Super 12 series and Jones had admitted earlier in the week that Mortlock had taken some wrong options on occasions during the Mandela Plate test.

"Morgan's running definitely troubles South Africa, and while Stirling has been in pretty good form, just again we've decided to start with Morgan and believe that his thrust early in the game will be important for us," he said.

Wallabies: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain), David Lyons, George Smith, John Roe, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Matt Dunning, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Stirling Mortlock, Drew Mitchell.

- AAP