"I have been referring recently to the growing strength in depth of the Scotland squad," said the head coach.
"The quality of the side we've chosen to play Wales is an excellent example of that."
Edinburgh's tight-head prop Cross joined the Scotland squad that travelled to play the Pumas last summer, but only now is he being given the chance to shine.
"Having waited patiently through five games, it's great that he now has this opportunity," said Hadden.
The omission of Gloucester flanker Alasdair Strokosch and Glasgow Warriors' Thom Evans, this season's top try scorer in Scotland, will raise eyebrows, as will the inclusion of White, whose appearances for Sale this season have been limited.
But the biggest gamble is surely the dropping of Paterson, Scotland's record cap holder and arguably the most consistent points-kicker in world rugby.
Paterson has only recently recovered from a rib injury and Hadden admitted that he and his fellow selectors thought "long and hard" about demoting him to the bench.
Interviews: Jason White and Hugo Southwell
"The stats this year tell us that Chris Paterson is the best goal-kicker in the northern hemisphere currently on 86% but that Phil Godman's number five on 79%," explained Hadden.
"Phil was at 86% until a week or so ago when he started having hamstring trouble. They were number one and two all season until then.
"Phil has a very good track record at international level."
On the surprise exclusion of in-form winger Evans, Hadden added: "Thom is definitely hot. He's a young guy who's done all we could have asked of him in the last couple of years. Make no mistake about it, his time will come.
"I've been saying repeatedly that we're looking for guys who can make the tough decisions under pressure and we've got two very mature players available who we have a lot of confidence in.
"Thom, as a young and inexperienced player, has yet to show the maturity in that area."
Scotland will be hoping to upset the reigning Six Nations champions by claiming a ninth win from the last 12 starts against Wales in Edinburgh.
But they will need to manage without a recognised lock on the bench, with Hadden confirming Taylor would switch from number eight should injury strike.
Sale's Rory Lamont, Ospreys winger Nikki Walker and Edinburgh trio Dave Callam, Ross Rennie and Matt Mustchin were unavailable for selection through injury.
Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh); Simon Webster (Edinburgh), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Sean Lamont (Northampton); Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Jason White (Sale), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), John Barclay (Glasgow). Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors).
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.