The opposition may only be Fiji, but the Canberra Stadium on Saturday will provide a glimpse of the future of Australian rugby.

Following the impressive, and much-improved, form of the exciting Reds, the at times dour determination of the Waratahs, the glimpses of brilliance from the Brumbies and the individual flashes from the Western Force, there is no doubt the Wallabies have enough talent to make a real fist of it at next year’s World Cup.

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rugby365 reports as follows:

Their first practice run will be in Canberra on Saturday, where a revamped Wallabies team, fielding five potential Test debutants, take on the unpredictable Fijians in their opening international of the season.

Coach Robbie Deans has named three uncapped players in his starting 15 and two more on the reserves bench after six first choice stars were ruled out with injuries from the recent Super 14 provincial series.

Deans, with an eye to next year’s World Cup in New Zealand, will give tighthead prop Salesi Ma’afu, hooker Huia Edmonds and outside centre Rob Horne their first taste of Test rugby against the 10th-ranked Fijians.

Flank Matt Hodgson and hooker Saia Faingaa will make their Test debuts if they come off the bench during the match.

Deans has foreshadowed an attacking game plan by selecting Kurtley Beale at fullback and preferring Quade Cooper at flyhalf, with Matt Giteau shifted to inside centre.

The loss of hooker Stephen Moore, prop Benn Robinson, lock James Horwill, No.8 Wycliff Palu, scrumhalf Will Genia and wing Peter Hynes from the 33-12 win over Wales in Cardiff last November offers Deans the chance to gauge the overall depth of his squad.

Deans said the selection was a good starting point for the international season, which also includes home Tests against England and Ireland before the Tri-Nations series against South Africa and New Zealand.

“This is the group we’ve opted to go with first up. Other players in the squad will get their opportunity for the Barbarians against England next week,” he said.

“We’ll then assess how things have gone in the first two outings and look ahead from there.”

The Wallabies’ first meeting with Fiji since their 55-12 win in a pool game at the 2007 World Cup in France throws open some fascinating sideshows.

Explosive wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca makes his international return after not playing for Fiji since 2006 while loosehead prop Campese Ma’afu will pack down against his older brother Salesi, with both siblings making their first Tests.

Caucaunibuca, or Caucau as he is known, was once feared as the most dynamic wing in the game, particularly at the 2003 World Cup in Australia when he scored three spectacular tries.

“Much has been said on the media about my return and I think many people are expecting a lot from me,” said Caucaunibuca, who scored 13 tries in 30 games for Agen in this season’s French Second Division.

“It’s easy to talk but the most important and difficult thing is to perform on the field and this will be a challenge for me.

“I’m ready for the game and I’ll give my best shot.”

Fiji originally selected prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua and scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu but they had problems obtaining visas to enter Australia because of their association with the Fijian military and they were left behind.

Canberra has imposed travel sanctions on Fijian military personnel in response to the Pacific nation’s military’s unconstitutional removal of its elected government in 2006.

The Fijians are always capable of providing an upset and knocked Wales out of the 2007 World Cup with a late try in a 38-34 win, while taking eventual champions South Africa all the way in a 37-20 tussle in the quarterfinals.

“The individual talent the Fijian players possess is well known,” Deans said.

“On their day, they are capable of anything, as has been shown historically, where teams who have under-estimated their capabilities have been burnt.”

The Wallabies have lost twice to Fiji in 18 internationals, with the last defeat to the Pacific Islanders coming in 1954.

Players to watch:

For Australia: Because they are making their debuts, the spotlight will be firmly tighthead prop Salesi Ma’afu, hooker Huia Edmonds and outside centre Rob Horne. However, the real interest will centre on how Kurtley Beale performs at fullback, as well as the No.12 and No.10 combination of Matt Giteau and Quade Cooper, with special attention on new flyhalf Cooper – following his sublime performances for the Reds in the Super 14.

For Fiji: You don’t have to look much further than Rupeni Caucaunibuca, the wing-cum-centre, for a player of interest. It is always worth the wait to see if the sublimely talented athlete or the disinterested plodder turns up on matchday. The experience of players like Caucaunibuca, Sireli Bobo and Deacon Manu will be crucial to their cause.

Head to head: Why look further than the front row when you the a family affair – Salesi Ma’afu (Australia) against Campese Ma’afu (Fiji). The fleet-footed Matt Giteau (Australia) against the burly Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji) could be another intriguing battle in midfield.

Recent results:
2007: Australia won 55-12, Montpellier (World Cup)
2007: Australia won 49-0, Perth
1998: Australia won 66-20, Sydney
1985: Australia won 31-9, Sydney
1985: Australia won 52-28, Brisbane

rugby365.com Prediction: It is not a matter of who will win, but rather by how many points. The bookmakers are giving Fiji a 40-point start and they are not far off the mark. We feel Australia will win by more, at least 50 points.

Teams:

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Pekahou Cowan, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Drew Mitchell, 22 James O’Connor.

Fiji: 15 Dan Rawaqa, 14 Jim Nagusa, 13 Saula Radidi, 12 Rupeni Caucaunibuca, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Emosi Vucago, 8 Jone Qovu, 7 Jim Nakaidawa, 6 Anthony Wise, 5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 4 Seko Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Campese Ma’afu.
Replacements: 16 Vili Veikoso, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Ropate Ratu, 22 Nemani Nadolo.

Date: Saturday, June 5
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy. High of 15°C, low of 4°C
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)