Reece Walsh gets Australia's fullback jersey for Thursday's World Cup opener against New Zealand at Sydney's Allianz Stadium, after two months out with an ankle injury.
Kevin Walters preferred Walsh to Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco; Sam Walker also misses out.
Walsh starred in last year's Ashes whitewash before injury struck during Brisbane's disastrous premiership defence.
Mitchell Moses and Cameron Munster start in the halves, with Tom Dearden on the bench as cover for hooker Harry Grant.
New Zealand start Joe Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota in a powerful middle, while Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison are reserves.
Kalyn Ponga makes his Kiwis debut at fullback; Dane Gagai, 35, will debut at centre against Latrell Mitchell after an eligibility switch.
Gagai will be New Zealand's oldest debutant since 1910, after gaining clearance weeks before the tournament.
Francis Manuleleua starts at lock for Samoa against France on Friday; England's Hugo Savala debuts against Tonga on Saturday, with AJ Brimson preferred to Jack Welsby at fullback.