Stirling Mortlock starts at inside-centre for the Brumbies © Getty Images

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Matches: Highlanders 31 - 33 Brumbies

Players/Officials: Stirling Mortlock

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: Australia | Brumbies | Highlanders | New Zealand

The Brumbies will kick-off their Super 14 campaign against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday with an all-Wallaby centre pairing of Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Mortlock shifts inside to No.12 with Christian Lealiifano at fly-half and Patrick Phibbs at scrum-half. Wallaby hooker Stephen Moore packs down in the Brumbies front-row for the first time since his move from the Reds while lock Ben Hand will also make his debut.

"In such a short competition you must start well," said Brumbies coach Andy Friend. "Historically 'the House of Pain' has been a tough venue for visiting teams and we realise that if we're not 100% focused on the task at hand we'll be in for a very long night.

"We were forced to delay naming the side with one or two guys recovering from knocks sustained against the Waratahs, however, they have all pulled through the beginning of the week without any problem and are ready to take the field on Friday night.

"There has been a great attitude and enthusiasm within the squad this week and we're all very excited that game time is almost here."

All Blacks scrum-half Jimmy Cowan will lead the Highlanders, who field a young side, with six platers set to make their Super 14 debuts. Southland lock Josh Bekhuis will make his first Highlanders appearance in the absence of the injured Tom Donnelly, while fullback Israel Dagg and Otago winger Ben Smith also start. Centre Jayden Haywards could also debut at Carisbrook, although he has been bracketed with the injured Johnny Leota.

Sean Romans and utility back Kendrick Lynn complete the newcomers, both starting on the bench. Winger Fetu'u Vinikolo has overcome an injury and is named in the starting line-up.

Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Johnny Leota/Jayden Hayward, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh.

Replacments: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, George Naoupu, Tim Boys, Sean Romans, Jayden Hayward/Brett Mather, Kenny Lynn

Brumbies: Nic Henderson, Stephen Moore, Guy Shepherson, Ben Hand, Mark Chisholm, Julian Salvi, George Smith, Stephen Hoiles (capt), Patrick Phibbs, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo, Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Clyde Rathbone, Mark Gerrard

Replacements: John Ulugia, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani, Peter Kimlin, Joshua Holmes, Tyrone Smith, Matt Toomua