Les Kiss has made nine changes to the side that thrashed Italy 57-10 in Perth for his first Test as Wallabies head coach, naming Aidan Ross and Miles Amatosero for maiden starts against Japan at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashi-Osaka on Saturday night.
The team was released on Thursday, two days out from a fixture that opens Kiss's tenure after he took over from Joe Schmidt, who won 12 of 31 Tests in charge. Kiss has 14 months before a home World Cup.
"Every single player in the squad has pushed hard over the last fortnight to get us to this point, making selecting the matchday 23 a real challenge for the coaches," Kiss said in a statement released by Rugby Australia.
"The players selected now have the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the gold jersey and we know they'll do everything they can to earn the support of all Australians when they take to the field in Osaka on Saturday night."
Amatosero, who debuted off the bench against Italy, partners Josh Canham in the second row. Canham became the first Wallabies lock to score a hat-trick of tries in that Perth win. Jeremy Williams, who Amatosero displaces, drops to the bench alongside Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott.
Ross, who played once for New Zealand in 2022, starts at loosehead in his fourth Test. Hooker Josh Nasser returns after concussion, and Fraser McReight comes back at openside in place of Carlo Tizzano. The only backline change is Hunter Paisami, in for the injured Len Ikitau and playing his first game of 2026. Harry Wilson captains from No. 8, with the back row unchanged for every Test this year.
Speaking to reporters after naming the side, Kiss described the balance he was after.
"A little bit of horses for courses, just to make sure that we know we could finish, guys with experience that can come out and put some energy and finishing power into our game," he said. "But at the same time, I think we start with a pretty powerful team as well."
He was not treating Eddie Jones's side lightly. "They are a fast, physical, dynamic team, pretty fit as well. So we're going to have to be on our toes right through to the end."
Kiss resisted rushing Carter Gordon back from a calf injury, instead backing the ACT halves pairing of Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith. Reds utility Isaac Henry, named on the bench, would become Wallaby number 999 if he gets on. Charlie Cale is also there as forward cover, in line for his first appearance since 2024.
The squad in Japan was reshuffled again on Thursday morning when Zane Nonggorr, a 20-Test prop, was ruled out with a minor calf strain. Reds tighthead Massimo De Lutiis was called in. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Ireland earlier this year before re-signing with Rugby Australia through to 2029.
"I definitely feel like a weight has been lifted with this decision. Now I'm locked in, I can focus on the next three years in Australia," De Lutiis said at the time of that deal.
"Did I want to be potentially playing in front of family and friends at a home World Cup next year? I asked myself that question as well. Even if I don't, it would be amazing to be around a tournament like that with the huge support that's out there."
Attack coach Scott McLeod, who joined from the All Blacks set-up, indicated the new staff are not tearing anything up before Saturday.
"Don't want to change too much of what the boys have been doing or what they're used to, particularly in Test match rugby, for the intensity that we want them to play at," McLeod told reporters this week. "But we've definitely given them some focuses around skill set that we want to just sharpen and also some of our movement, and a little bit of our structure off lineout and into the phase play."
He was blunter about the underlying requirement. "We just have to get the ball, so we've got to be in the right places at the right time to be able to get the ball. The real DNA of this team is about scoring tries and playing the footy that we want to play."
Australia have never lost to Japan across seven previous meetings, though this is the first time the fixture has been played in Osaka. Kick-off is 8:05pm AEST. The sides meet again in Townsville on 15 August.
