Les Kiss has named his first Wallabies squad for the Test series against Japan, unveiling a 34-man group that includes recalls for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Isaac Kailea. The new head coach, who succeeded Joe Schmidt, has kept changes minimal, adding only three new faces to the squad that finished Schmidt's tenure with a 56-10 win over Italy.
Kiss's Philosophy and First Test
Kiss, a former rugby league winger for North Sydney Bears who has never played rugby union, emphasized an "evolution not revolution" approach. "There will be change," he said. "I'm a different personality and there will be ways I operate that are different to Joe's leadership. I want players to be themselves, bring their personality to the fore and to know our strength is in our diversity."
His first Test is against Japan in Higashiōsaka on 8 August, where he will face former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. "We saw how Japan beat Italy and how they pushed Ireland to the limit so we need to bring our best and be ready," Kiss said. "Eddie is a sly operator and a savvy coach and we'll be prepared for his mind games and his impact on the Japanese psyche."
Squad Selection and Key Changes
The squad features Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Waratahs prop Isaac Kailea, and Brisbane bolter Isaac Henry as the only new faces. Henry, 27, will back up John Eales medallist Len Ikitau, who is out with an ankle injury. Test match record-holder James Slipper will not travel to Japan, with Kailea earning his first cap since 2024.
Kiss warned that no player's position is guaranteed. "The group is pretty much the same – it's only right they get a feel for us [coaches] first. But I will be exploring other options as we go along and I'll be making that clear to all the players. No one's guaranteed a position and I make promises to no one."
Coaching Staff and Future Fixtures
Kiss has brought in fresh thinking with Scott McLeod, Jonny Fisher, Eoin Toolan, Tom Donnelly, and John Ulugia joining the coaching staff. The Wallabies have 19 Tests before the 2027 World Cup on home soil, including a two-Test tour of Argentina and home-and-away Tests with South Africa and New Zealand.
"I've seen in the last three matches what this gold jersey does to the Australian public," Kiss said. "It's special. We're going to do everything we can to make that 80 minutes look so good for people so they keep coming out wanting to support us."
