Wallabies coach John Connolly lauded George Gregan as "one of the game's greats" after handing him the captaincy for a record-equalling 59th Test.

Gregan was returned as Australian skipper in the absence of injured centre Stirling Mortlock for Sunday's World Cup pool B match against Fiji.

The veteran halfback will match the record held by former England captain Will Carling when he runs out at Montpellier's Stade de la Mosson, and may even break it the following week against Canada in Bordeaux.

Gregan will lead a team containing three changes to the starting side and three more to the bench from that which harpooned Wales 32-20 in Cardiff on Saturday.

Mortlock's shoulder injury, ruling him out until the quarter-finals, is also set to pave the way for Adam Ashley-Cooper to start in his preferred outside centre position.

The Wallabies selectors have opted to rest George Smith and lock Nathan Sharpe with vice-captain Phil Waugh and birthday boy Mark Chisholm (26) promoted from the bench.

Waugh's long-awaited ascension ends a six-match run where in-form open side flanker Smith has worn the No.7 jersey.

The NSW Waratahs skipper has played less than a combined 80 minutes of Test rugby in those four Tri-Nations and two World Cup matches after Connolly indicated in June he wouldn't play Smith in six straight like 2006.

Queenslanders Greg Holmes, Hugh McMeniman and Sam Cordingley were all promoted to the bench to gain match time before Saturday week's match with the Canucks.

The selections leave forwards David Lyons and Sean Hardman as the only members of the original 30-man squad without action in the first three pool B matches.

Gregan, who officially signed his lucrative contract with cashed-up French second division club Toulon this week, has a maximum five internationals left in his world record 136-Test career.

During the Tri-Nations, he was poised to regain the captaincy he gave up to Mortlock and Waugh when he rested himself from last year's European tour only for the centre to nail it down with his inspirational displays.

"(Gregan) will go down as one of the game's greats," Connolly said.

"He has a wonderful record in the game and this is another outstanding achievement.

"His experience is invaluable to us and he will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest ever players."

His comments will prompt debate as Gregan, the most capped player of all time, has long been criticised for his halfback play.

But the 34-year-old showed in Cardiff he is still a fine competitor with a strong all-round game highlighted by a deft chip for a try to Mortlock.

Mortlock anointed Ashley-Cooper as his long-term outside centre successor after the powerful Brumby suggested in training he was over a toe injury.

The 23-year-old completed a 90-minute session in front of 2,000 fans at Stade Yves du Manoir and was almost "past the post", according to team doctor Martin Raftery.

"He's a quality player and I personally think his long-term future is at outside centre," Mortlock said of Ashley-Cooper.

Like Mortlock, playmaker Stephen Larkham has targeted a likely quarter-final against England as his return match after knee surgery.

Rookie sensation Berrick Barnes, to get his second run-on start at No.10, took little part in training due to quad tightness.

Connolly insisted discipline was crucial against the unbeaten, flamboyant Fijians.

Fiji have been playing good rugby at this World Cup and have proven that if you allow them into the game by making mistakes, they will make you pay, he said.

Australia: Chris Latham, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Berrick Barnes, George Gregan (capt); Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Mark Chisholm, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning. Res: Adam Freier, Greg Holmes, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Hoiles, Sam Cordingley, Scott Staniforth, Julian Huxley.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP