Wallabies Make Eight Changes for Return Japan Test
Carter Gordon returns from a calf injury as Australia reshuffles its pack, with only two forwards retained from last week’s win in Osaka.
- On Thursday, Wallabies coach Les Kiss made eight changes to his starting side for Saturday's return Test against Japan in Townsville, featuring an almost entirely new forward pack with only Josh Nasser and Harry Wilson retained from Osaka.
- Following Australia's gruelling 35-32 victory in Osaka last week, Kiss sought balance after the physically taxing conditions, stating 'the whole group has worked hard this week and we know where we need to improve.'
- Fly-Half Carter Gordon returns from a calf injury after his Nations Championship absence, while uncapped prop Massimo De Lutiis, a 23-year-old Queenslander, is poised to become Wallaby number 1,000 if he takes the field.
- Experienced props Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou return to the starting 15, Isaac Henry earns his first Test start at inside centre, and Charlie Cale makes his debut at blindside flanker in the revamped pack.
- Kiss's selections reflect his broader strategy of assessing squad options ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia, with the clash marking the first Test between the nations on Australian soil in 39 years.
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Brisbane Times
The AgeHow a 1990s radio quiz helped the Wallabies celebrate their 1000th player
After 127 years of Test matches, Wallaby No.1000 will run onto the field when Queensland prop Massimo De Lutiis helps take on Japan. How do we know? A stockbroker’s decade-long passion project.
Massimo De Lutiis could become the 1000th Wallaby on Saturday against Japan. The opportunity to return to the last players to have joined the great nations of rugby.
‘Taxing week’: Wallabies ring the changes
Wallabies coach Les Kiss hasn’t been afraid to alter a winning combination, making eight changes to the team that started in Australia’s narrow victory over Japan last weekend for Saturday’s return battle against the Brave Blossoms in Townsville.
Radio France Internationale
Wallabies make eight changes for return Japan Test
The new Wallabies coach got off to a winning start last week in Osaka when they edged Eddie Jones's side 35-32, but the game was played in gruelling heat and humidity. With the conditions taking their toll, Kiss has opted to rest some of his key players this weekend in Townsville and give an opportunity to others in the wider squad as he continues to experiment. Playmaker Carter Gordon returns from a calf injury at fly-half in place of Declan Me…
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