Moore is 34 years old but Cheika is adamant that even at 36 years of age, Australia's most capped hooker could still play a role at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. "I see Moore playing with us through to the World Cup," Cheika said. "He's got a smart plan around how he's going to maintain himself with his seniority. When he signed back to play [for the Queensland Reds] that was the plan. "I'd say I've had it in my mind since the start. Moore's going to play a role in this series. I know it's convenient to say dropped and all that because it looks good in the paper. The reality is he's OK with everything I've been doing around the selection side of things. "The one thing about Stephen Moore is he wants Australian rugby to be the best it possibly can. He'll take the knock on the chin and I'm sure he'll be fighting back to get a spot in the side next week. We know the role now he's got to play until the World Cup." There had been calls for Moore to be pushed aside for Hooper, with Wallaby great Tim Horan telling Fairfax Media this week the time was right for Cheika to crack the whip with an eye to rugby's biggest prize in two years time.

Cheika, however, doesn't necessarily see his latest decision as a succession plan for Hooper, 25, to lead the Wallabies into the future. "I wouldn't say it's the beginning of a transition, it's just a decision made," Cheika said. "For me Hooper is a captain as well. I don't like the whole co-captains thing. Stephen's our captain and our leader. Stephen's still highly competitive and Hoops is growing as a captain as well." Asked what would happen if Moore came off the bench in the second half against Fiji and Hooper was still on the field, Cheika replied: "I think they'd do it together. I don't know, I haven't even thought about it. I'd just let them work it out." As for Polota-Nau, who has only started five times in his last 24 Tests, Cheika said he had earned his position through nothing else but hard work. "He made the move to Perth, he's really enjoyed it there and he's been challenging Stephen for many years now and now he's getting a chance to put himself in front of him," Cheika said. "I've always backed Taf coaching him through the Tahs and he's always done a great job for Australia."

A more "matured" Bernard Foley will be vice-captain of the team come Saturday afternoon and be the conductor of a new back line featuring Karmichael Hunt at No.12 and Tevita Kuridrani at outside-centre. Will Genia has been given the nod as starting halfback, while Henry Speight and Dane Haylett-Petty have wrapped up the two starting wing positions. There are also major changes in the forwards, with Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa picked as the starting props next to Polota-Nau. In the second-row, Brumbies captain Sam Carter has been rewarded for a stellar Super Rugby season with a starting spot, pipping his club teammate Rory Arnold for the No.4 jersey alongside a new second-row partner in Adam Coleman. Scott Higginbotham has been given the green light over Lopeti Timani at No.8 in what will be his first Test match since playing South Africa in July 2015.

Cheika will wait until Friday to finalise his bench. Wallabies team to face Fiji on Saturday 1. Tom Robertson (7 Tests) 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (68 Tests) 3. Allan Alaalatoa (9 Tests)

4. Sam Carter (13 Tests) 5. Adam Coleman (9 Tests) 6. Ned Hanigan (debut) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (65 Tests) 8. Scott Higginbotham (32 Tests)

9. Will Genia (75 Tests) 10. Bernard Foley (42 Tests) 11. Henry Speight (11 Tests) 12. Karmichael Hunt (debut) 13. Tevita Kuridrani (45 Tests)