Massimo De Lutiis poised to become Wallaby No.1000
Hunter Paisami will start at midfield for Australia
©Steve Haag
The Wallabies could celebrate a major milestone in Townsville on Saturday, with Queensland Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis poised to become the 1000th player to represent Australia after being named on the bench for the second Test against Japan.
Les Kiss has made eight changes to his starting side following last weekend’s 35-32 victory in Osaka.
Massimo De Lutiis Eyes Wallabies Milestone
De Lutiis will become Wallaby No.1000 if introduced from the bench at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The young tight-head prop is among several changes as Kiss continues to assess his squad ahead of a demanding Test schedule and the build-up towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson and Filipo Daugunu are also included among the replacements.
Carter Gordon Returns at Fly-Half
Carter Gordon returns from a calf injury to start at fly-half, replacing Declan Meredith, while Ryan Lonergan retains the No.9 jersey.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s hamstring injury has opened the door for Isaac Henry to make his first Test start at outside centre. Henry became Wallaby No.999 after coming off the bench in Osaka.
Hunter Paisami will partner Henry in midfield.
Wallabies Reshape Pack for Japan Test
Lachlan Shaw earns his first Test start alongside returning lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, while Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou return to the starting front row.
Charlie Cale and Carlo Tizzano join captain Harry Wilson in a reshaped back row. Fraser McReight moves to the bench, while Rob Valetini and Josh Canham are rested.
The changes continue Kiss’s approach of testing his squad depth early in his Wallabies tenure.
Australia XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Issac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Charlie Cale, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Lachlan Shaw, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Reserves: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
