Wallabies' surprise first opponents at Rugby World Cup

Harry Wilson, John Eales, Brett Robinson and Phil Waugh at the Rugby World Cup fixtures launch. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS

World Rugby has defended kicking off Australia's home World Cup campaign against minnows Hong Kong rather than bitter rivals New Zealand, who are also in the same pool.

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The Wallabies instead face the All Blacks in Sydney for their second match, before a first-ever clash against Chile in Brisbane rounds out the hosts' group stage.

It means Melbourne will not stage a Wallabies match at next year's World Cup, with the hosts' draw also precluding them from a round-of-16 clash in the Victorian capital.

World Rugby chair Brett Robinson conceded it would be polarising for the Wallabies to begin their first home World Cup since 2003 against Hong Kong in Perth.

Hong Kong are 23rd on the world rugby rankings and are making their World Cup debut.

"Clearly people will have different opinions and the sides will have different opinions, but we've landed where we've landed," Robinson said.

"For me, the pools are this great opportunity where clearly we are going to have teams that are dominating, but we also have teams that are aspiring.

"That's our role as World Rugby, to build and grow our great global game."

For the first time, the Rugby World Cup will feature a round-of-16 stage, with the top two sides in each group to advance, as well as four of the six that place third.

Should Australia place second in their pool, they will face the Pool F runners-up - one of England, Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe - for their first knockout clash.

Win their pool and Australia would face the third-placed team from Pool C, E or F in the round of 16.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson isn't fazed by Australia's draw for next year's Rugby World Cup. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

At December's announcement of the tournament's pools, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson memorably said it "doesn't get much better" than playing New Zealand first-up at a home World Cup.

"I went off a little bit too early there," Wilson said on Tuesday amid his recovery from a knee injury.

"It's obviously great to 'verse' Hong Kong in the first match and then have a week to build to what is going to be another massive match against New Zealand.

"To have it for our second match at the World Cup, it doesn't really matter. We'll all be super excited for it and be ready for that game."

Wallabies legend John Eales said the groundwork for Australia's charge at a first World Cup win since 1999 started with the Super Rugby Pacific season that begins next week.

"The work initially has to be about how well you perform in Super Rugby," said the two-time World Cup-winning lock.

"Because that gives you the right to be selected to play the Test matches this year, which gives you the right to put your best foot forward in front of the selectors (at the World Cup).