Carter will be playing just his third Test in almost three years while Speight has a chance to cement his spot on the wing after an outstanding Super Rugby campaign in Canberra.

Carter and Speight were two of four Brumbies in the starting XV, while scrumhalf Joe Powell is expected to be added to the bench for his debut alongside Rory Arnold.

Tevita Kuridrani will start at outside centre and Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead prop after coach Michael Cheika dropped a selection bombshell and axed skipper Stephen Moore.

The Brumbies are the only Australian team riding a wave of form into the mid-year series after clinching a Super Rugby finals spot last weekend.

Speight is enjoying his best season in recent years and Carter believes the Fijian flyer is ready for a breakout international performance.

"Henry has been phenomenal this year, he's really taken every opportunity he gets with the ball," Carter said.

"We've seen how elusive he can be and what a threat he can be. Just knowing I've got a bloke out there on the wing in Henry, it makes me feel pretty good in the middle.

"Henry is in the same position I am - he's fighting for a spot every week. If he has a good couple of performance, anything can happen. He can be the No. 1 Test winger in Australia."

Cheika has shuffled his squad for the opening game of a three-Test series against Fiji, Scotland and Italy.

Carter will partner Adam Coleman in the second row for just his third Test since before the World Cup in 2015.

Michael Hooper will take the captaincy reins after Moore was left out of the starting XV, with Tatafu Polota-Nau to be the starting hooker.

Will Genia, who has just returned from France, will start at No. 9 but Powell will almost certainly be his back up after his standout season for the Brumbies.

Powell has stepped up to replace Argentina international Tomas Cubelli and is set to be rewarded with his first Test cap.

Powell was a shock inclusion in a Wallabies training squad last year, but Carter says he's ready to take his opportunity to play.

"I think when Joey realises how good he actually is, he'll be a very good player," Carter said.

"It's just a confidence thing. He got brought into the camp last year and didn't know if it was a joke or not, but he held his own and it paid off in Super Rugby.

"You can see he's learnt a lot and he's learning to control a match really well. That's very important for a No. 9 and I've got no doubt when he gets his foot in the door, he'll be a very good player."

Injured Brumbies prop Scott Sio is still recovering from a knee problem, but could be available to play against Scotland in Sydney next week.

MID-YEAR TEST SERIES

Saturday: Australia v Fiji at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 3pm.

Wallabies team: 15. Israel Folau, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 11. Henry Speight, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Will Genia, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Michael Hooper,. 6. Ned Hanigan, 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Sam Carter, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Tom Robertson. Bench to be confirmed.