Jonathan Rea will make his Kawasaki debut on pole position at the opening round of the World Superbike Championship in Australia.

The Northern Ireland rider had the fastest time when the Superpole session was stopped because of an accident involving David Salom.
Spaniard Salom was injured in a high-speed crash at Phillip Island.

Ducati’s Chaz Davies was second fastest with Aprilia rider Leon Haslam taking third place in the grid.

Rea has achieved 15 victories in his 140 World Superbike starts.

The 27-year-old from Ballyclare signed for Kawasaki Rea after leaving the Pata Honda team last year.

Leading positions after Superpole: 1 Jonathan Rea (Gbr) Kawasaki 1 min 31.212secs, 2 Chaz Davies (Gbr) Ducati 1:31.238, 3 Leon Haslam (Gbr) Aprilia 1:31.507, 4 Michael van der Mark (Ned) Honda 1:31.613, 5 Alex Lowes (Gbr) Suzuki 1:32.042, 6 Nicolas Terol (Spa) Ducati 1:32.081, 7 Jordi Torres (Spa) Aprilia 1:32.243, 8 Tom Sykes (Gbr) Kawasaki 1:32.265, 9 Sylvain Guintoli (Fra) Honda 1:32.446, 10 Matteo Baiocco (Ita) Ducati 1:32.841.