But he will have to wait for extended World Cup minutes after Israel Folau passed his fitness test to overcome an ankle injury in time to play at Twickenham on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEDT).

Beale is establishing himself as the bench X-factor, ready to step in and take control of games to propel the Wallabies to a commanding World Cup position.

It comes almost exactly one year after Michael Cheika breathed new life into Beale's Test career by rushing him to Ireland to join the spring tour squad after the fallout of the Di Patston text-massage drama.

Beale has been forced to bide his time on the Wallabies bench with only minimal chances in the starting line-up.

But while cross-code star Folau is rated as Australia's most potent attacking weapon, former Test playmaker Rod Kafer says Beale will add a new dimension to the Wallabies' back line.

"Kurtley plays his best when he's fit, lean and hungry – he looks that way to me at the moment," Kafer said.

"I think he's benefited from being a bit fitter and a bit sharper.

"He's played accordingly. He's a different player to Izzy, of course. He might be tested under the high ball a little bit more. But he's got the capability to add spark into any team."

Beale's Test career was dangling by a thread last year when he was embroiled in off-field controversy and the Wallabies started to crumble around him.

But Cheika has showed unwavering faith in the NSW Waratahs star and is hoping it will pay dividends when the Wallabies clash against Wales.

The winner of the Australia-Wales clash will progress to a quarter-final against either Scotland or Japan, while the loser faces a brutal road through the play-offs with matches against South Africa and New Zealand looming.

The Wallabies have been forced into two back-line changes, while Sean McMahon will join the starting side in place of Michael Hooper.

Beale was at his menacing best in the 11-try romp against Uruguay two weeks ago and stepped up on the big stage when winger Rob Horne injured his shoulder after just 10 minutes against England.

"I think Beale will look forward to his opportunity," Kafer said.

"One of the things that [Michael Cheika] has been successful at doing is giving guys time throughout the year and challenging guys to play in different combinations and positions all the team.

"He was preparing a full squad, not just a team. What he was preparing them for is now becoming a reality – suspension and injuries.

"He makes them play in uncomfortable or unfamiliar territory, so I think that will help the team adjust quickly."

The Wallabies have also called on Australia's most prolific World Cup-try scorer, Drew Mitchell, to replace Horne on the wing.

Mitchell will return to Twickenham for the first time since he scored a superb solo try, cutting through six Clermont defenders to help Toulon win the Heineken Cup in May.

WALLABIES TEAM: 15. Israel Folau, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Will Genia, 8. David Pocock, 7. Sean McMahon, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. James Slipper, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Ben McCalman, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Matt Toomua, 23. Kurtley Beale.