The "evolution" of Les Kiss's Wallabies has officially begun with the new Wallabies coach unafraid to make bold changes to his first-ever line-up to face Japan in Osaka on Saturday.
Kiss has stuck true to his mantra of "evolution, not revolution" naming close to a similar side to Joe Schmidt's Nations Championship team while making some tweaks to his forward pack that are expected to be run ragged in the Japan heat with plenty of experience to be unleashed from the bench in the second half.
In retaining continuity from the Wallabies side that smashed Italy 57-10 last month, Kiss has retained fly-half Declan Meredith choosing to keep his Queensland Reds playmaker Carter Gordon in cotton wool after the 25-year-old pulled up lame against Ireland in their Nations Championship opener.
Meanwhile the new coach has made plenty of changes to his tight-five naming Aidan Ross, in just his fourth Test, and Josh Nasser in the front-row alongside Allan Alaalatoa, while Miles Amatosero has been elevated to the starting side to partner Josh Canham in the second row in just his second Test match.
"Obviously, there's trying to find a little bit more depth in certain positions, but first and foremost, pick a Test team that wins, that's for sure," Kiss said of his decision to make changes through his tight five.
"We were trying to find where we kept continuity and where we explored. I think the combination that we saw with the Lonners [Ryan Lonnergan] and Deci [Declan Meredith] at nine and 10 was proof enough to say, let's keep that in situ.
"The back three seem to be a good nick, we knew we had to make changes in 12-13, so that gave some good clues early.
"But we wanted to explore our loose head prop, make sure we get that a bit deeper. In our tight head lock we want to see how that can build depth as well, so Miles gets a good chance to get out there and have a head as well and also, you know, some good experience coming off the bench was also part of ensuring that we can finish this game strongly."
Amatosero had a solid performance against Italy in Perth and has been given the responsiblity of playing "direct" against a pack that features an abrassive locking combination in Warner Dearns and Harry Hockings who Japan focus their game through.
"We need to be direct and physical. It'll be slippery conditions, that will give a type of a transition game if we're loose in that area, it can hurt us, so we need Miles in the tight five to be very solid about how we set the platform, and him being the tighthead lock, that's a big responsibility and the part that he plays in that he's been impressive.
"You can see he wants to get physical even in training, so he's got to be able to set that platform in an aggressive and disciplined way."
The changes have resulted in Angus Bell being pushed to the bench as Kiss looks to get more minutes into his less experienced props in the absence of James Slipper, and Billy Pollard moving onto the bench after a concussion against France ruled him out of the side's final Nations Championship clash. It's left no space for Brandon Paenga-Amosa who were a standout in the side's losing performance against France.
Jeremy Williams, meanwhile, will also be used off the bench.
Fraser McReight has reclaimed the No. 7 jersey after he was benched in place of Carlo Tizzano in Perth, slotting alongside Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson in the backrow, with young ACT Brumbies loose forward Charlie Cale named in his first Wallabies line-up in two years.
The Brumbies back-row has been named on the bench in his first Test since 2024 with the 25-year-old expected to bring significant punch late in a game that is predicted to be played in oppressive heat.
Cale featured in two-Tests against Wales in 2024 before injuries derailed his rise under Schmidt. His return adds extra depth to an already impressive Wallabies back-row.
"Yeah, he's been really impressive," Kiss said. "Genuine speed. I mean, it's something that's going to be needed with the team we're up against in that second half.
"Very coachable too. A few little things that we put in play in defense and attack, he's picked it up really quickly.
"I've been really impressed with his disposition and his mindset about how he goes about his business, asks really nice questions, very coachable, impressive, I've got to say, and he'll have his part to play, no doubt. We'll need his speed in the second half."
Meanwhile, Kiss has been forced into one change in the starting backline with Hunter Paisami returning to inside centre in the absence of Len Ikitau, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Harry Potter has been rewarded for his scintillating form against Italy, retaining his position on the wing, while Tom Wright and Max Jorgensen complete the back three.
After a torrid injury-hit run Isaac Henry has been named to make his debut off the bench, where he will become Wallaby 999.
"It's always pleasing to give someone their debut for sure," Kiss said of Henry's selection. "Zaki's earned this right to be there on the bench and a possible debut. He covers 12 and 13, covers wing.
"He's a very smart footballer, very savvy footballer. He's got great footwork. He's very physical and defence. He's earned every part of it. But yeah, it's very pleasing to see him get this opportunity after all the work he's put into himself to be right with all the things we see so low. Couldn't be happier for him."
The Wallabies are also without prop Zane Nonggorr after he was ruled out with a calf strain. It's seen uncapped Massimo De Lutiis called into the squad, while Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou will fill the tighthead role on Saturday.
The Wallabies landed in Osaka in the midst of a summer heatwave with temperatures topping 37 degrees with high humidity, while two hydration breaks are scheduled to break up the match, Kiss has acknowledged the players will just have to get on with the game.
"Our medical department, our strength and conditioning, our science guys have really tailored the sessions to make sure we've got the right exposure, make sure we feel the heat.
"You've just got to accept it. The boys have just gone on with their business, but we've had certainly certain protocols in play to try and mitigate some of the challenges there.
"But bottom line is we've got 80 minutes in the heat. It does drop a bit at evening, but it's still quite humid. We just have to deal with it."
Wallabies: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Jospeh-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Miles Amatosero, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry