Wallabies Squad vs Springboks

Wild Cards, Western Force Phenoms, and Wallaby Warfare

Head coach Les Kiss has laid his cards on the table for the upcoming clash at Perth’s Optus Stadium on September 27, naming a 34-man roster that balances steady squad continuity with a few high-wire selection punts. Fresh off an undefeated tour of Argentina where Australia claimed the Puma Trophy, the Wallabies squad now faces the ultimate benchmark in World Rugby: the back-to-back world champion Springboks, who land in Western Australia after securing a brutal 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore.

Les Kiss made it clear that while the group learned plenty about themselves during their four-Test run in South America, there remains significant work to do to reach the required standard before taking on the world champion South Africans in front of a home crowd.

The Jordan Petaia Gamble

Prodigal Protege Pursues Perth Redemption

The most headline-grabbing inclusion is the return of Jordan Petaia for a one-off Test appearance. Wallaby number 930 has taken the scenic route back to the gold jersey. After stepping away from Australian Rugby at the end of 2024 to test his luck in the NFL International Player Pathway with the Los Angeles Chargers, Petaia headed to France for a 13-game shift with Perpignan in the Top 14. Now contracted to link up with Samu Kerevi at Japanese outfit Urayasu D-Rocks, the 26-year-old utility back finds himself drafted back into national duty to cover the loss of Dylan Pietsch to injury.

Petaia last featured for Australia during the pool-stage loss against Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. While his long-term availability remains clouded by his upcoming commitments in Japan, his raw power and tackle-breaking X-factor remain undeniable. The eye test says he still has the footwork to turn defender-heavy midfield channels into open highway, though whether his defensive reads can immediately withstand South Africa’s relentless aerial bombardment remains a fair question.

The Fly-Half Roll of the Dice

Young Guns, Broken Bones, and Bypassed Veterans

A massive spanner was thrown into the tactical works when Carter Gordon suffered a fractured fibula during the 28-all draw against Argentina in Mendoza (untimely for both the Wallabies and Gordon himself, having faced a wedding the week after the break). With Gordon sidelined, Kiss faced a defining crossroads at number 10.

Rather than turning to seasoned veterans like James O’Connor or Bernard Foley, or recalling Noah Lolesio from Japan, Kiss doubled down on youth by drafting in 22-year-old Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. The Gunnedah-born playmaker has had a whirlwind 48 hours, having just slotted the match-winning conversion after the siren to sink his former team, the Queensland Reds, in Saturday’s Super Rugby AUS opener.

McLaughlin-Phillips joins Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith as the squad’s three primary playmaking options. Taking on the Boks with a fly-half rotation holding limited Test starts between them is a massive high-wire act. HMP has shown poise at Australia U20 level and across 35 appearances for the Reds, but stepping straight into the Test arena against Rassie Erasmus’ brutal blitz defence is the ultimate sink-or-swim baptism.

Front Row Shuffle and Squad Breakdown

Fresh Props, Resting Phenoms, and Heavyweights

In the tight five, 20-cap tight-head Zane Nonggorr makes his return after recovering from a calf strain sustained in Japan. He swaps into the squad for Queensland teammate Massimo De Lutiis, who is being managed and rested after earning his first three Test caps during a heavy physical stretch. Filipo Daugunu is another notable absentee, held out while managing a minor knee complaint.

Wallabies 34-Man Squad

• Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (c).
• Backs: Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright.
• Unavailable for Selection: Carter Gordon (leg), Dylan Pietsch (injury), Filipo Daugunu (knee), Massimo De Lutiis (rested), Josh Flook, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Matt Philip, Henry Robertson, Pete Samu, Blake Schoupp, Will Skelton.