Melbourne's biggest star Danny Cipriani has been upstaged by journeyman James Hilgendorf, with the former England international relegated to the bench for the Rebels' historic Super Rugby debut against NSW on Friday night.

The mercurial Cipriani was the first player signed by the new Super outfit and expected to be their key playmaker at AAMI Park.

But those five-eighth duties will go to 28-year-old Hilgendorf, who joined the Rebels after middling stints with NSW and the Western Force that earned 15 Super caps and then time with two Japanese clubs.

Cipriani's demotion was the biggest talking point after their line-up was revealed, although that could change with a question mark over the fitness of former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville, who injured his knee during training on Wednesday.

Somerville, the most capped New Zealand prop of all time with 66, is key to Melbourne matching the Waratahs' monster pack.

He was their best player in their final trial match against his old side the Crusaders.

Somerville is considered "touch and go" according to one source however coach Rod Macqueen downplayed the injury, insisting the 33-year-old was a certain starter.

"We had a bit of a scare but we understand that it was only a minor strain and he's been able to train," Macqueen said.

"He's been given the all-clear by the medical staff."

Cipriani came to Melbourne with the hope of reigniting his career after falling out with the England rugby hierarchy over his off-field exploits.

But the 23-year-old failed to crack the run-on side after some inconsistent performances in their warm-up games, while Hilgendorf has been a steadying force and also managed a try against the Crusaders.

Cipriani is likely to still get some game time at No.10 or at fullback, covering for Julian Huxley, who has had limited preparation because of osteitis pubis.

Macqueen said Cipriani was "very important" to the side.

"We're looking at the team as the 22 so I don't see it as a big issue as perhaps other people do, but having said that Jimmy Hilgendorf played very well throughout the trials and we think this time that Jimmy would be better starting."

Veteran Sam Cordingley has recovered from a hip injury to start at halfback, relegating Wallaby tourist Nick Phipps to the bench, with the impressive Richard Kingi left out of the squad.

Macqueen didn't expect Cordingley to be available for the opening round and said it was an "unexpected bonus" to have his experience in the line-up.

Former Wallaby Nic Henderson has been named as starting prop alongside Somerville, while Ged Robinson is the hooker with former NSW star Adam Freier unavailable as he recovers from a back injury.

Cooper Vuna, who switched to rugby from the Newcastle Knights, will partner skipper Stirling Mortlock in the centres, while the starting wingers are former rugby league international Luke Rooney and Lachlan Mitchell.

Macqueen said all players in the squad would get a run against the powerful Waratahs.

Rebels: Julian Huxley, Lachlan Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (c), Cooper Vuna, Luke Rooney, James Hilgendorf, Sam Cordingley, Gareth Delve (vc), Michael Lipman, Hoani Macdonald, Kevin O'Neill, Adam Byrnes, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson. Res: Heath Tessmann, Laurie Weeks, Alister Campbell, Jarrod Saffy, Nick Phipps, Danny Cipriani, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

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