Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Les Kiss will test the waters at his first opportunity, with the new Wallabies coach making nine changes to the side to face Japan in Osaka.
Australia will play the Eddie Jones-coached outfit on Saturday before meeting them again in Townsville a week later.
And Kiss, taking over from Joe Schmidt ahead of next year’s home Rugby World Cup, has delivered on his promise to test the depth of the squad.
The former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger has delivered a drastically different 23 to the squad that destroyed Italy in Schmidt’s farewell match last month.
Aidan Ross will make his starting debut in the front row alongside recalled hooker Josh Nasser (concussion), while Miles Amatosero will also start for the first time, named in the second row alongside Josh Canham.
Fraser McReight will return to the starting side, with two-Test backrower Charlie Cale, missing from the Test arena since 2024, on the bench and Carlo Tizzano squeezed out of the squad.
Hunter Paisami will replace Len Ikitau (ankle) in the No.12 while fellow Reds centre Isaac Henry could debut after being named on the bench.
Taniela Tupou is also back into the side after he missed the Italy Test while there is consistency in the halves with Declan Meredith to start alongside Ryan Lonergan for the third-straight Test.
Kiss has resisted the urge to recall fit-again No.10 Carter Gordon and, after including lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the squad, has kept the firebrand on ice.
Searing temperatures in Osaka will greet teams, with Jones’ Japan likely to play a high-tempo, fast-paced style capable of upsetting the visitors.
Angus Bell, Jeremy Williams, Billy Pollard, Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott have all been selected as bench options, with Kiss likely to lean heavily on them given the conditions.
Australia, ranked eighth in the world, have won just two of their last 11 Tests and will be tested by the No.10-ranked Japan, who beat Italy at home last month.
“Every single player in the squad has pushed hard over the last fortnight to get us to this point, making selecting the matchday 23 a real challenge for the coaches,” Kiss said.”The players selected now have the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the gold jersey and we know they’ll do everything they can to earn the support of all Australians when they take to the field in Osaka on Saturday night.”
Japan will name their team later on Thursday, with a host of Australian exports in line for berths.
WALLABIES: Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Miles Amatosero, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter, Hunter Paisami, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry.
