Wallabies team v Japan: Les Kiss makes latest fly-half call amid EIGHT changes while No. 1000 set to be capped
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss (left) has made eight changes to his starting XV, with Carter Gordon (right) among them
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has made eight changes to his starting XV to face Japan, with Carter Gordon back at fly-half.
Kiss’ side will be hoping to make it two successive wins under their new head coach this weekend in Townsville, as they come into this Test off the back of a 34-32 win over the Brave Blossoms in Osaka last time out.
Elsewhere, Wallaby number 1000 is set to be capped, with debutant Massimo De Lutiis named on the bench.
Les Kiss makes eight changes for Japan rematch as Wallaby 1000 set to be capped
In the backline, Tom Wright continues at full-back, with Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter named on the wings. Isaac Henry comes in at outside centre in place of the injured Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, partnering Hunter Paisami in midfield.
The aforementioned Gordon comes in at fly-half in place of Declan Meredith, and joins Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
The bulk of Kiss’ changes come in the pack, though, with only skipper Harry Wilson and Josh Nasser retaining their shirts from last weekend. Wilson is joined by Carlo Tizzano and Charlie Cale in the back-row this week, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Lachlan Shaw feature in the locks.
Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell join Nasser in the front-row.
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Debutant De Lutiis is also among a new-look bench group, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Fraser McReight and Filipo Daugunu all coming onto the replacements list.
Jeremy Williams, Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson also keep their place on the bench.
Ex-Wallabies and Ireland back Brian Smith passes away aged 59
Wallabies team v Japan in full
Wallabies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Charlie Cale, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Lachlan Shaw, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 15:00 (local), 14:00 (Japan), 17:00 (New Zealand), 06:00 (UK/Ireland), 07:00 (France), 07:00 (South Africa), 02:00 (Argentina)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey (NZR) & Marcus Playle (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
