Nick Champion de Crespigny was named Australia captain to face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday in just his third test as coach Joe Schmidt admitted making 13 changes to his team was "definitely a risk".
The Wallabies face Eddie Jones's side before heading to Europe to take on England, Italy, Ireland and France on successive weekends.
Flanker Champion de Crespigny made his debut in the first test against the British and Irish Lions in July.
The 29-year-old will line up in the back row alongside Carlo Tizzano and Rob Valetini, and Schmidt said his new captain would take it in his stride.
"Nick has been with us consistently week to week throughout and is part of the leadership group anyway, so it was a natural enough progression for him," Schmidt said as he named his team on Thursday.
"Nick is very much a leader by actions and he'll want to be in the thick of the action as much as he can be."
Schmidt made wholesale changes to the team that lost 28-14 to New Zealand earlier this month to draw the curtain on a frustrating Rugby Championship campaign won by South Africa.
The coach said his selections were about "energy management" after a gruelling few months that have included a home test against Fiji, the Lions series and the Rugby Championship.
"There is definitely a risk – part of the job of the coaching staff is to manage risk as best we can," said Schmidt.
"If we don't give opportunity to the squad, we start to lose energy towards the end of a five-test window, particularly when you're travelling such long distances."
Tane Edmed keeps his place at fly half despite the return of Carter Gordon to the squad after a stint in rugby league.
Gordon was not named in the matchday squad and Schmidt said it was too early for the playmaker after being rushed back into the fold following his move to Super Rugby's Reds.
"In such a pivotal position as 10 it's very hard to go straight in and start leading the team," said Schmidt.
"There was a temptation to put him into the matchday squad, and at the same time looking after him so that he feels as ready as he can be to start at some stage or come off the bench at some stage in the coming weeks."
Zane Nonggorr gets his first start in his 17th appearance for Australia, combining with Angus Bell and Josh Nasser in the front row.
Dylan Pietsch returns from a jaw fracture to start on the left wing, with Corey Toole on the right and Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook in the centres.
Aidan Ross was named on the bench and could become the fifth man to represent both Australia and New Zealand in test matches.
"The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose," said Schmidt.
"They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home."
Australia (15-1)
Andrew Kellaway; Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch; Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon; Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion De Crespigny (capt); Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams; Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu