Ben Mowen has been selected to captain the Wallabies against the Pumas in Perth on Saturday after last week's skipper Will Genia was dropped to the bench.

Genia led the Wallabies in their 38-12 thumping by the Springboks in Brisbane last Saturday but has been replaced by Brumbies half-back Nic White in the starting side.

Coach Ewen McKenzie said he still regards Genia highly but wants him to address a few issues in his game.

"The fact that Will has captained his country shows what high regard we hold him in," McKenzie said.

"And while he is naturally disappointed, I also know how competitive he is and I've got no doubts he will train himself to a standstill to bounce back as a better player.

"We've spoken about what areas we believe he can continue to improve and evolve his game, and he was receptive to going back and addressing those things."

Brumbies skipper Mowen has been given the honour of captaining his country less than three months after making his Test debut against the British and Irish Lions.

Regular skipper James Horwill remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani has won a place on the bench that also includes Brumbies outside back Tevita Kuridrani.

Another Brumby Ben Alexander has been promoted to starting tight-head prop with Sekope Kepu moving back to the bench.

White deserves his chance: McKenzie

Scrum half White has just three Wallabies caps, playing off the bench in each Test of this year's Rugby Championship since making his debut against the All Blacks in Sydney last moth.

"We feel Nic has earned an opportunity to start and will add his own uniqueness and point of difference to how we want to play this game," McKenzie said.

"Nic has had a great season with the Brumbies and has brought his own brand of energy and hard work to the Wallaby group."

McKenzie said he was disappointed with the performance against the Springboks last week but with some adjustments to the game plan believes the Wallabies can turn it around against the Pumas.

While still wanting to play attractive, running rugby McKenzie said the team needs to make smarter decisions in different parts of the field.

"By doing this we will endeavour to remove some of the pressure we are applying on ourselves and shift that pressure to the opposing team."

Wallabies (15 to 1): Israel Folau, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Nick Cummins, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Ben Mowen (c), Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and James Slipper. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani.

Pumas (15 to 1): Juan Martin Hernandez, Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Tiesi, Felipe Contepomi, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Julio Farias Cabello, Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo, Agustin Creevy, Marcos Ayerza. Reserves: Eusebio Guinazu, Nahuel Lobo, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Mariano Galarza, Benjamin Macome, Martin Landajo, Santiago Fernandez, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.