The Wallabies are set to hand out cap number 1000 in Townsville on Saturday, and the man in line for it is a 22-year-old Queensland tighthead who once bench pressed 202.5kg at Ballymore.
Massimo De Lutiis is expected to come off the bench against Japan at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Allan Alaalatoa likely to be rested ahead of the Argentina tour and Taniela Tupou promoted to start. It would make De Lutiis the 1000th man to play a Test for Australia, eight days after Isaac Henry became number 999 in Osaka.
Angus Bell, coy on the selection itself, was happy to talk about what the number means.
"It'd be very special," Bell said on Wednesday. "Zacky [Henry] was 999, wasn't he? And then, obviously, the next Wallaby up is 1000, which is pretty cool, puts everything into perspective for you."
He then did the maths out loud.
"I think Slips [James Slipper] is Wallaby 100," Bell said. "It just shows how little people over the whole history of the Wallabies have played, and how special it is to be one of the 1000 Wallabies. It's a pretty prestigious group. It's a pretty cool time, and whoever gets that opportunity — obviously Mass [De Lutiis] is in the squad, he's been training really well. For a young bloke, he's super strong and he's a big boy, so it'll be awesome, whoever gets that 1000th cap."
De Lutiis has played just 13 matches for the Reds since debuting last year, and Rugby Australia fought off interest from Irish Rugby to keep him. Former Wallabies scrum coach Mike Cron picked him for Australia A in late 2024, before he had made a Super Rugby appearance.
The bigger tactical story is at fly-half, where the merry-go-round turns again. Carter Gordon is set to reclaim the No.10 jersey from Declan Meredith, who struggled in Osaka and was outplayed by 21-year-old Japan playmaker Ryunosuke Ito. Gordon started against Ireland in July before a calf injury cost him the France and Italy Tests; last weekend he was fit but carried water while Meredith was given another look.
Les Kiss had flagged changes almost as soon as the 35-32 win was over, pointing at conditions rather than form.
"I'd imagine there might be one or two tweaks just to help us get through this period. The heat's been pretty tough here," Kiss said.
The bulk of those tweaks are expected up front after a Test played in 30-degree heat and 70 per cent humidity. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is firming for a return, Charlie Cale is expected to move into the starting side and Rob Valetini is likely to be spelled before Argentina. Lachie Shaw, Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano are all pushing for the matchday 23.
The backline was reshaped for a less welcome reason. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was ruled out on Tuesday night with a hamstring injury the squad has called minor — his latest, after a season limited to six games for the Waratahs. Josh Flook has come in as cover, though Henry is expected to partner Hunter Paisami in midfield, with Len Ikitau still out with an ankle problem.
Bell, a close friend of Suaalii, pushed back on any suggestion the run of injuries was wearing on him.
"There's one thing that I've never questioned Sue on, it's his preparation, he's probably one of the most professional blokes I've ever met, and I know that he'll get his injury right," Bell said. "It's honestly just probably a bit of maturing in the body, I went through the exact same thing, I went through two and a half, three years where I wasn't playing any rugby for the Waratahs, which was tough."
He added: "It's only a really minor injury, and we'll look forward to getting Sue back. But we have a next up mentality, and we're going to go into the game with the same plan."
Paisami said the options were there.
"We've tried a lot of combinations this week, obviously, with 'Flooky', Filippo [Daugunu], Isaac [Henry] there as well," he said. He welcomed the return of his Reds teammate Gordon, calling him a "natural 10".
A win on Saturday would give the Wallabies three straight Tests for the first time since July 2024.
