Reds strongman to become 1000th Wallaby as mass changes confirmed
The merry-go-round at fly-half will continue in Saturday’s return match against Japan in Townsville, with Carter Gordon set to return to the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies.
And 22-year-old tight-head prop Massimo De Lutiis is poised to write himself into Australian rugby folklore by becoming the 1000th Wallaby.
Carter Gordon will come into the No.10 jersey. Getty Images
As forecast by nine.com.au following last Saturday’s nervy 35-32 win over Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in an oppressively hot Osaka, new Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made sweeping changes.
It will be the 25-year-old Gordon’s first appearance since the Test against Ireland in Sydney in July, fully recovering from a calf injury to partner Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
Gold Coast junior De Lutiis has been named on the bench for his potential Test debut where he would become Wallaby 1000.
Centre Isaac Henry became the 999th Wallaby when he made his debut in Osaka last weekend.
“The coaches have looked to find some balance in the selection after what was a physically taxing Test week in the heat in Japan,” Kiss said.
“The whole group has worked hard this week, and we know where we need to improve. This Saturday in Townsville gives us an opportunity to grow and strengthen our game on home soil in front of our supporters.”
There’s a new-look second row with Queensland’s Lukhan Salakaia-Loto named for his first Test this season, partnering Lachlan Shaw who makes his first start.
The dynamic Charlie Cale has been selected for his first start at blindside flanker, while Carlo Tizzano is at No.7 and captain Harry Wilson at No.8.
Henry has been selected for his first Test start at outside centre, forming a familiar midfield partnership with Reds teammate Hunter Paisami.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was ruled out on Tuesday afternoon after suffering a hamstring injury.
But the most significant change sees Gordon replace Declan Meredith in the No.10 jersey.
Declan Meredith gestures to a teammate during the Wallabies’ win over Japan. Getty Images
Gordon was fit last week but was asked to run the drinks, as Kiss gave Meredith another opportunity to prove himself.
But the ACT Brumbies playmaker struggled and was outplayed by 21-year-old Japanese fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, who once again wowed the world having been plucked out of university by Jones earlier this year.
The changes come with a big few months ahead for the Wallabies, including a two-Test tour against Argentina, a Test against South Africa in Perth, two Bledisloe Cup Tests and four November matches in the United Kingdom.
De Lutiis, who rejected approaches from Ireland to re-sign with the Reds, famously bench pressed a record 202.5kg in the gym at Ballymore.
The rising tight-head prop has played just 13 matches for the Reds since debuting last year, but Wallabies officials have long believed the 126kg front-rower has been destined for big things.
The Wallabies’ former scrum guru Mike Cron picked the prop for Australia A in 2024 before he had made his Super Rugby debut.
He was then brought into the Wallabies’ first camp of 2025.
Massimo De Lutiis of the Queensland Reds. nna\sworthington
After smashing Italy 57-10 late last month, another win over Japan on Saturday would see the Wallabies win three straight Tests for the first time since 2024.
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (c), Carlo Tizzano, Charlie Cale, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu
Japan (15-1): Takuro Matsunaga, Haruto Kida, Shunsuke Uenobo, Dylan Riley, Yoshitaka Yazaki, Ryunosuke Ito, Naoto Saito, Faulua Makisi, Tiennan Costley, Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns (c), Harry Hockings, Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Takato Okabe
Reserves: Mamoru Harada, Sojiro Otsuka, Izi Sword, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Itsuki Kamimura, Samisoni Tua, Kazuma Ueda
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