Wallabies coach Robbie Deans won't name his 30-man Rugby World Cup squad until August 18 but this Sunday looms as just an important date for some of Australia's most promising young talent.

Deans has decided to rest many of the Wallabies involved in Queensland's Super Rugby title-winning side for this weekend's season-opening Test against Samoa.

It means 22-year-old halfback Nick Phipps and 24-year-old lock Sitaleki Timani will both start in their Test debuts.

Openside flanker Matt Hodgson will start a Test for the first time, as will 23-year-old inside centre Pat McCabe in his second appearance for the national side.

Deans is loath to talk about World Cup selections at this stage of the year but with a slew of Reds set to return to the starting side, Deans hopes his experimental charges cause some headaches.

"For some of the individuals concerned it's an opportunity and none of them will be presuming there's more to come," he said.

Deans suggested he wants to keep James O'Connor on the wing but McCabe knows he must produce a sterling performance in a position he is still coming to grips with.

"In a sense it is (a World Cup audition) for me, I guess I might not get the chance to start again potentially, so I'll just hopefully take the opportunity well on the weekend," McCabe said.

McCabe played three Super Rugby games at inside centre this year, his only experience at No.12, but has been boosted by Deans' confidence in his ability to perform the role.

"He spoke to me over the last few months about potentially playing in the centres at some stage," McCabe said.

"Obviously I haven't spent a great deal of time there but in the games I did play there I felt reasonably comfortable."

McCabe said his nerves will be calmed by the fact fellow Brumbies Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper will start either side of him.

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