A plan to have star power off the bench in the heat of Osaka has prompted Les Kiss to make nine changes in his first Wallabies side, including giving starting debuts to Miles Amatosero and Aidan Ross against Japan.
Kiss rang the changes in his 23-man squad to take on Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms, with a mix of injury-forced selections and some tactical options tailored to help the Wallabies finish well in the heatwave hitting Japan.
Predicting Japan will look to fatigue the Wallabies early and come home the stronger side, Kiss has loaded his bench with both class and mobility.
Most of the changes have been made in the pack, with Amatosero and Ross called into the starting side, leaving key forwards Angus Bell and Jeremy Williams on the bench for second-half impact.
Amatosero debuted for the Wallabies off the bench in the Wallabies’ win over Italy in July, and Ross – a former Chiefs and All Blacks XV prop who moved to Queensland last year – debuted against Japan in Tokyo last year.
Josh Nasser has also returned from concussion to start at hooker, with Billy Pollard in reserve ahead of Brandon Paenga-Amosa, while Fraser McReight has returned to the side at openside flanker after being benched behind Carlo Tizzano against Italy in Perth.
While Carter Gordon returns to the squad, Kiss has kept faith in Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith at No.10, and kept Ben Donaldson on the bench.
Meredith will have Hunter Paisami alongside him at No.12 for the first time, with Paisami replacing Len Ikitau, who is missing the two-Test Japan series with an ankle injury.
Harry Potter has retained his wing spot after an impressive night against Italy.
Queenslander centre Isaac Henry is set to make his Test debut from the bench, and become Wallaby no.999 if he gets on.
Elsewhere on the bench, Charlie Cale has been named in the Wallabies for the first time in over two years. The dynamic back-rower debuted against Wales in Joe Schmidt’s first month, in 2024, and played two Tests but was later ruled out with injury for the rest of year. He then battled injury throughout 2025 as well, which kept him out of contention.
More to come …
Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
