Michael Cheika has announced the Australia team to take on Fiji in their Rugby World Cup opening game against Fiji on Wednesday in Cardiff.

David Pocock is selected at number eight, joining Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper in a mobile back-row. Will Genia ousts Nick Phipps from the number nine shirt, joining Bernard Foley in the half-backs.

Matt Giteau is preferred in the number 12 shirt, with Matt Toomua settling for a place on the bench alongside Kurtley Beale. Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas are the locking duo, with the giant Will Skelton set to provide impact from the bench.

“We’ve been working hard over the past few months and it’s great be able to finally pick a team and get started,” Cheika said. “We know Fiji are a good quality Rugby team and in good form. They’ve showed that recently during the Pacific Cup and their opening match against England at this World Cup.

“The players have an enormous amount of respect for them and the way they’re playing the game, especially the improvements in their set piece. 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.

AUSTRALIA TEAM TO PLAY FIJI

15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Date: Wednesday, September 23
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16:45 local (15:45 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)