Seven to make Rugby World Cup debuts for Australia against Fiji

Australia have announced that seven players will make their Rugby World Cup debuts when the Wallabies begin their campaign against Fiji on Wednesday.

Scott Sio, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau will all feature in the tournament for the first time, while Matt Giteau will play his first World Cup match for eight years after missing the 2011 edition.

Coach Michael Cheika said: "We've been working hard over the past few months and it's great to be able to finally pick a team and get started.

"We know Fiji are a good quality rugby team and in good form. They've shown that recently during the Pacific Cup and their opening match against England at this World Cup.

"Our groundwork is done now and we are eager to get into the battle, a battle we know will be very intense against this Fiji side."

Despite almost half the team having not played at the World Cup before, the starting lineup has 720 previous Test appearances between them, making it the second most experienced starting XV Australia have ever named at the World Cup.

Australia team to play Fiji:

Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau

Replacements:

Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale