Curtis Rona to make his debut for Australia against New Zealand

Australia head coach Michael Cheika has named uncapped wing Curtis Rona in the line-up for the Rugby Championship opening clash against New Zealand scheduled to take place in Sydney on Saturday.

The 25-year-old, who switched code from rugby league in 2017 has impressed in his first season of Super Rugby with Western Force. Also his inclusion comes at the expense of Dane Haylett-Petty, who is yet to recover completely from a bicep injury.

As expected, influential utility back Kurtley Beale makes a return to the XV after a gap of almost two years while Samu Kerevi starts at outside centre. Inclusion of Sean McMahon, Samu Kerevi and Henry Speight are also among the five changes made by Cheika from the previous game against Italy.

"He's [Rona] run there pretty much since we got into camp and he's looked comfortable there and he's got excellent chat from the outside in," Cheika told reporters.

"He's played on the big stage before in rugby league, so I'm sure he'll handle it, no problem.

"Curtis has been picked because he's a high quality player. He's really shown a lot of enthusiasm, aggression, hungry to be involved in everything."

The team will be captained by Michael Hooper after Stephen Moore decided to step down from the role as he is set to retire at the end of the year.

Australia:

Israel Folau, Henry Speight, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper (c), Ned Hanigan, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Reece Hodge, Tevita Kuridrani