It heralds a new era for the Australian team. The addition of six players who have never played in a world championship or Olympics and the absence of injured superstar Lauren Jackson has resulted in a new-look squad.

The world championships will be the first major international tournament for the Opals without Jackson since 1998, a loss which coach Brendan Joyce said will be felt across the team.

"I guess I'm the unluckiest coach in the world right now. It's a huge loss, but across the board collectively it will be up to the girls playing to share the load," he said.

"There's no question that if Lauren gets to Rio, it will be her last Olympics. I've got a responsibility not only to try and achieve success, but to make sure we continue to develop players for Rio and beyond."

While injuries are never a blessing, Joyce said it is their nature to open up doorways for new, younger talent.

"Injuries give an opportunity to others to step up," he said.

"Of the team that took out bronze at the London Olympics and the same team that finished fifth at the last world championships, there are 10 girls who will be over 30 years of age. It was always going to be a transitional period where we had to find some new girls."

Twenty-year-old Tessa Lavey is the youngest in the team and "one of the quickest and most explosive players" Joyce has seen in the WNBL.

He expects Lavey and Melbourne Boomers' Rebecca Allen to be two of the new talents who will be staking a future claim for Rio this world championship. "These are exciting prospects for the future, and I wouldn't be surprised to see these girls playing in the WNBA."

Coming direct from the WNBA will be star duo Erin Phillips and Penny Taylor, who have been turning heads with the Phoenix Mercury in the US league's play-offs..

The Mercury opened up a 2-0 series lead over Indiana Fever in the best-of-five finals series yesterday. Taylor scored 14 points and Phillips added seven in Phoenix's 97-68 romp.

Having selected both Phillips and Taylor, coach Joyce said the quick turnover was naturally on his mind.

"Any coach would be concerned about that. I think the transition won't be as tough because of their experience, but it's like anything, the girls have still got to get used to playing with each other."

Game one of the world championships looks to be the biggest challenge for the Opals, when they play against Cuba.

"They were the number one team in the qualifiers. They're very quick and mobile. They pose a big challenge for me," Joyce said.

"All you can do is be confident in the process and the plan you've had, and we've done the best that we can with the girls available."

The 2014 FIBA World Championships start on September 27.

Opals squad: Rebecca Allen, Natalie Burton, Elizabeth Cambage, Cayla Francis, Laura Hodges, Rachel Jarry, Tessa Lavey, Leilani Mitchell, Erin Phillips, Belinda Snell, Penny Taylor, Marianna Tolo