Former rugby league star Wendell Sailor's rapid rise in rugby union continues to gather momentum after being named in the Wallabies starting team for the clash with New Zealand Maori on Saturday.

Sailor and second-rower Nathan Sharpe will both make their run-on debuts for the Wallabies while Sailor's fellow league convert Mat Rogers will play off the bench.

Australian coach Eddie Jones said Rogers will get some playing time in the centres and at five-eighth.

Matt Burke has been selected at outside centre for the clash forcing Queensland captain Daniel Herbert into the inside centre position while Stirling Mortlock will start on the wing.

Jones said he was prepared to experiment to find the right combination for this year's French series and the Tri-Nations.

"This is our first game together and we're playing a number of guys in different positions as we did in the Australia A game, so we need to find out what our best combination is."

While Sailor got his chance due to the injury of Ben Tune, he is determined to be part of the team for the opening Test of the series against France at Colonial Stadium on June 22.

"There's going to be a few goose bumps for me, personally this is like a Test match for me," said Sailor.

"I'm just very keen to play for the Wallabies, it's a dream of mine and hopefully the first step to bigger and better things."

Patricio Noriega will start at tighthead prop after Ben Darwin was ruled out with an ankle injury. Rod Moore will play off the bench.

Australia: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Matthew Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt), Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Res: Brendan Cannon, Rod Moore, Matt Cockbain, David Lyons, Chris Whitaker, Mat Rogers, Andrew Walker.