The last time the two teams met the Pacific Islanders derailed Australia's 2023 Rugby World Cup in France with their first win in 69 years.
They have a chance to do similar damage in Newcastle on Sunday with the Wallabies desperate for a strong performance ahead of their first British and Irish Lions Test in Brisbane on July 19.
A stoic Porecki captained Australia during three World Cup matches, including the 22-15 horror show in Saint Etienne, but showed little emotion as the Wallabies bowed out at the pool stage for the first time.
He then missed all of 2024 due to a chronic achilles issue which almost forced him into retirement, and then battled a calf problem this year, but the 32-year-old did enough in the back end of NSW's season to impress Schmidt.
"It was measured," said Schmidt when asked of the Waratahs rake's reaction.
"He's process driven, it will be just another game for him but he knows a real opportunity for him.
"I like that about him; Dave is measured so you know when the pressure comes on he's unlikely to get panicked, he's going to remain measured and process focused and that's some of the experience that he brings."
There are nine players remaining from that World Cup match under then coach Eddie Jones, with Schmidt describing it as a "rocky period".
The forward pack is missing big guns Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who both have calf injuries but are expected to be available to face the Lions.
Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon and Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh, were also close to a return from injury with all four training in Newcastle on Thursday.
Starting at No.8, Queenslander Harry Wilson has retained the Wallabies captaincy after leading the side on the northern hemisphere spring tour.
Porecki will anchor an experienced front row of James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, with Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost the locks after five appearances in 2024.
Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson will start at blindside flanker with Fraser McReight on the other side of the scrum.
Noah Lolesio and Tate McDermott are the starting halves while in the backline superstar centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and winger Harry Potter, will both play their first Tests on home soil.
Schmidt said player selection was based a mix of Super Rugby Pacific form, recent Test history and some trials, particularly in the front row as he looked to mix up state combinations.
"It's almost like speed dating, trying to get these guys together as good as we can to try to build some combinations; front-rowers wouldn't like that reference would they - it's slippery ground," Schmidt laughed.
Given the change in coach and new faces in the Test squad Schmidt said that while they had used that World Cup match as part of their opposition analysis, it wasn't a talking point.
"To be honest I haven't spoken to the players too much about it at all, I think we've just tried to make it mostly about us," Schmidt said.
"We certainly respect the Fijians and some of their players coming back from Europe and some of the ones that were in the Drua on this side of the world were incredibly impressive athletes.
"Sunday will be a little bit of the unknown but we hopefully we recognise a few things about how we want to play and recognise some good performances from the players."
WALLABIES SQUAD TO FACE FIJI:
James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt), Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Tom Wright. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
