George Gregan will equal Will Carling's international captaincy record after being named as Australia's skipper for its Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Fiji.

It will be the 59th time Gregan has captained the Wallabies, equalling the record set by former England skipper Carling in the 1990s.

Gregan, who is also test rugby's most capped player, will retire from international rugby at the conclusion of the World Cup.

"He has a wonderful record in the game and this is another outstanding achievement," Wallaby coach John Connolly said.

"His experience is invaluable to us and he will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest ever players."

With regular skipper Sirling Mortlock out injured, utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper will take his place at centre in one of three changes to the starting XV that beat Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

Phil Waugh comes into the team at openside flanker at the expense of George Smith while Mark Chisholm replaces Nathan Sharpe at lock.

Prop Greg Holmes, loose forward Hugh McMeniman and halfback Sam Cordingley also join the 22-man squad for the first time at the World Cup.