New Wallabies coach Les Kiss has named a 34-man squad for next month's two-Test series against Japan, and used his first selection as head coach to settle one of Australian rugby's longest-running debates: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will stay in the centres.
Suaalii, the cross-code convert who was named in Super Rugby Pacific's Team of the Year in 2025, has been the subject of constant speculation about his best position, with many arguing his athleticism is wasted at 13. Kiss met the 21-year-old before naming the squad and left no doubt about where he sees him.
"I had a meeting with Joseph yesterday. He's a big lad when you get really close to him, but he's a super athlete," Kiss said. "He's a good footballer on many levels. I will be persisting at 13 with him at this stage, but I know that he can go to [fullback] and wing, and that's important to acknowledge as well."
The squad's headline inclusion is uncapped Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry, the lone uncapped player and in line for a debut after Len Ikitau (ankle) was ruled out. Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, overlooked for the Nations Championship, and Waratahs prop Isaac Kailea are the other new faces. French-based prop Taniela Tupou is the only overseas selection, and No. 8 Harry Wilson retains the captaincy.
"Selection is always a challenging process, but as coaches we've looked to bring together a group based on form, cohesion and how we want to play the game," Kiss said. "The challenge now is for everyone to roll up their sleeves and find a new level of consistency."
Kiss also kept the door open to Jordan Petaia, the utility back he coached at the Reds, who has moved from France's Top 14 to a Japanese club after a short-lived NFL cameo. "Jordy's there, working away and we'll keep looking at him," Kiss said. "I won't be afraid to look overseas, but ... respect what we've got here."
The appointment carries weight. The Wallabies won just two of their last 11 Tests under departing coach Joe Schmidt, who finished with a 12-19 record, and a home World Cup arrives in 2027. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh, who was coached by Kiss at the Waratahs two decades ago, argued Schmidt's tenure had still moved the team forward.
"The fundamentals and depth from 1-15 is materially better than what it was," Waugh told AAP. "We've been right in the game and it's matter of progressing at the speed they have been, to turn those narrow losses into victories."
Waugh was blunt about the standard Kiss will be judged against. "The big focus is getting to the final weekend in 2027," he said. "So we need to work on those improvements Joe made and accelerate the performances as we run into the World Cup." Of his old defence coach, he added: "He's definitely got an edge and his connection was really powerful and his eye for detail was sharp."
Kiss, a former rugby league winger who learned the union game as a Springboks defence coach, was similarly bullish about the group he has inherited. "I'm an optimist, but I'm a realist as well, and I do believe that these players want more, and they're prepared to work hard for it," he said. "When we're on the try-line, these boys will defend it with their life."
The Wallabies open against Eddie Jones's Japan in Osaka on August 8 before the sides meet again in Townsville on August 15.
