{
  "id": 723340,
  "title": "Hulking prop set to be 1,000th Wallaby as Kiss reshuffles deck",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/hulking-prop-set-to-be-1-000th-wallaby-as-kiss-reshuffles-deck",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T02:43:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/wallabies-team-japan-second-test-1000-cap/107027200"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Queensland Reds player Massimo De Lutilis has been named on the bench for the Wallabies' second Test match against Japan. If he plays in Townsville on Saturday, De Lutilis will become the 1,000th Wallaby to be capped. Les Kiss, who is in his second stint as coach, also revived fly-half Carter Gordon at the expense of Declan Meredith. With Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii injured, Isaac Henry has been given a starting debut at outside centre after playing a handful of minutes in a narrow loss to Eddie Jones' team. Lachlan Shaw, who is making his debut at second row, will partner De Lutilis, with Jeremy Williams on the bench and Josh Canham rested. In the back row, Charlie Cale and Carlo Tizzano will support skipper Harry Wilson, leaving Fraser McReight on the sidelines and Rob Valetini out of the 23-man squad. Brandon Paenga-Amosa will have a chance to play as replacement hooker, while Filipo Daugunu is also included on the bench as backline cover. Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou return to the starting lineup after brief appearances in the Osaka match, with the back three remaining unchanged. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson continue to provide play-making options on the bench. This move reflects Kiss's approach of evaluating options before a busy Test schedule leading up to the Rugby World Cup in Australia. The coach emphasized that the team has worked hard after a physically demanding Test week in hot conditions in Japan, and the opportunity to play at home in Townsville will help the squad grow and improve.",
  "summary": "Queensland Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis has been named on the bench for the Wallabies' second Test against Japan, making him the 1,000th Wallaby capped. In a reshuffled lineup, fly half Carter Gordon has been recalled at the expense of Declan Meredith, while Les Kiss, the new coach, has made several changes to the team. Notable changes include Isaac Henry's debut at outside centre, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto's return to the Test lineup, and the inclusion of Charlie Cale and Carlo Tizzano in the second row. The back three remains unchanged, and the coaches aim to assess their options before the long run of Tests ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "The Kiss era has begun, and new coach Les is seeking the 'Wallaby way'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/the-kiss-era-has-begun-and-new-coach-les-is-seeking-the-wallaby-way",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:00:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}