Reece Hodge’s loss should be Dane Haylett-Petty’s gain but Australia’s selectors are poised to keep changes to a minimum for their Rugby World Cup clash with Wales.

Coach Michael Cheika may have even considered naming an identical starting XV for Sunday’s match in Tokyo in a bid to build momentum through their two toughest pool games.

That won’t happen after a three-man independent judiciary on Wednesday night banned Hodge for the three remaining pool games for his high tackle in the win over Fiji.

Haylett-Petty shone off the bench at Sapporo and is a logical replacement at No.14, with veteran back Adam Ashley-Cooper added to the bench.

Any other changes to the team named on Friday would probably come in the backs, with the pack cemented in place after an imposing display against Fiji.

The power and panache of a Samu Kerevi-James O’Connor midfield won’t change, nor winger Marika Koroibete, leaving only the halves and fullback facing scrutiny.

A couple of mixed outings has left fullback Kurtley Beale feeling the heat but he may be saved by the likely wing promotion of Haylett-Petty, the man most likely to have replaced him at No.15.

Halfback Nic White and five-eighth Christian Lealiifano were knocked off their stride by the rambunctious Fijians.

Composure materialised after halftime, helped by the introduction of Will Genia and Matt Toomua from the bench.

Toomua and 2015 World Cup star playmaker Bernard Foley are both candidates to wear No.10 but Chieka may persist in a pairing that hadn’t played for five weeks.

Winnable pool games against Uruguay and Georgia will follow, giving Cheika a chance to introduce new playmakers if the White-Lealiifano combination splutters again.

Possible Wallabies XV: Kurtley Beale, Dane Haylett-Petty, James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper (capt), David Pocock, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio.