Tom Hooper has joined the Wallabies squad in Brisbane ahead of Saturday's second Test against Japan in Townsville, and Les Kiss has made clear his side will not be sent out unchanged after scraping home 35-32 in Osaka.
Hooper, 25, has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in this year's opening Test against Ireland. Rugby Australia confirmed his call-up on Monday. It would be his first appearance in Queensland since committing to the Reds and a return to Australian rugby from 2028.
Kiss had flagged the move in Osaka before the squad flew home. "Tom is very close [...] We'll have a report on where we are at the moment, and then we'll make a decision tonight whether we do bring Tom or someone else in," the coach told media. "But at this stage, I'd like to see how this evening pans out."
At least one change is effectively forced. Lock Miles Amatosero was sent off in Osaka after his cleanout on Japan captain Warner Dearns was upgraded from a yellow card, and he is expected to face a judiciary hearing this week. Kiss was careful not to relitigate it.
"I understand what they're seeing but we only looked at it once, so we'll have a look at it," he said. "We'll live with the decision now and we'll have a good look at it. Whether he was falling or whatever, that's for other people to decide."
Hooper is a natural fit for that gap, which would leave Jeremy Williams starting. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, back from injury, and Lachlan Shaw are the other options. Prop Isaac Kailea went unused in Japan after his recall, and injury-cover prop Massimo De Lutiis is in line to become Wallaby number 1,000 in Townsville.
The bigger question is how much the trip cost the squad physically. Australia played in brutal heat and humidity in Osaka and then flew home.
"This trip took a lot out of a lot of guys, so we're going to have to look at where the energy is," Kiss said. "We've got to fly back and we're going to stay in Brisbane for a few nights just so we don't have to do the double travel, manage that energy in that way."
He added: "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. [Saturday] was a fast game."
Centre Len Ikitau remains out with the ankle injury he picked up against Italy last month. Fly half Declan Meredith had a mixed night with the boot, and Carter Gordon is fit again — a live selection call rather than an obvious one.
What Kiss will not do, on the evidence of the week, is tighten the leash. Australia scored five tries in Osaka but coughed up possession repeatedly, including Fraser McReight turning the ball over on a speculative pass after winning a turnover in his own 22, and Meredith fumbling a quick tap in front of Japan's posts while Australia clung to the lead.
Halfback Ryan Lonergan said the players had been told to keep backing themselves.
"He has given us the licence to play and is all for us having a crack," Lonergan said. "[If we] see space, take it."
He was equally clear that the freedom comes with a burden. "Now it's up to us to know how to make use of it," he said. "We've got to know that when we take that space we've got to be on board with it and commit."
Lonergan also suggested the plan barely got an airing. "We've tweaked a few things, but we didn't even really get to see those out there," he said.
Kiss, a former Kangaroos and Queensland rugby league winger, has talked about the mentality in terms of backyard footy and cricket battles.
"It's a balance of backing yourself and managing the game at the right time," he said. "I just ask us to be skilful, and the nature of the game at times probably said 'let's just hold it a bit'."
Australia won five of fifteen Tests under Joe Schmidt last year. One win in friendlier conditions on Saturday afternoon will not settle much, but Kiss will want to see the shape he has been promising.
