Hulking prop set to be 1,000th Wallaby as Kiss reshuffles deck
The 1,000th Wallaby is poised to be capped in Townsville after hulking prop Massimo De Lutiis was named on the bench to face Japan.
Queensland Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis has been selected in the bench for the second Test against Japan, a historic milestone as he will be the 1,000th Wallaby to be capped if he plays in the match in Townsville on Saturday. Les Kiss, the current coach, has also brought back fly half Carter Gordon at the expense of Declan Meredith.
Due to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's injury, Isaac Henry will make his debut at outside centre, a week after earning his initial minutes in a tough loss to Eddie Jones' side. Additionally, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will return to the Test squad, partnering Lachlan Shaw in the second row, while Jeremy Williams is on the bench. The back row has undergone a shift, with Charlie Cale and Carlo Tizzano partnered by skipper Harry Wilson, leaving Fraser McReight on the bench.
The Wallabies will rely on Brandon Paenga-Amosa as the replacement hooker, and Filipo Daugunu serves as backline cover. Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou will rejoin the starting lineup after notable appearances in the Osaka game. The back three remains unchanged, while Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson continue to provide play-making options on the bench.
Coach Kiss aims to evaluate his choices before a series of Tests leading up to the Rugby World Cup in Australia. The coaches emphasize the need for the team to improve after a physically demanding Test week in Japan, with the upcoming match in Townsville offering an opportunity to grow and strengthen their performance in front of home supporters.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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