Osaka: Les Kiss says he has put “very little” time into forecasting what tricks and tactics Eddie Jones has planned when Japan take on Australia in Osaka, but it didn’t stop the new Wallabies coach from coming up with one or two of his own when selecting his first team.

Ahead of his maiden Test as Wallabies coach, Kiss on Thursday named his 23-man squad to meet the Brave Blossoms – and there was plenty of movement straight off the bat.

Kiss made nine changes to the side who defeated Italy last start under Joe Schmidt, with a mix of injury-forced selections and some tactical choices to leave some star players in reserve for second half impact. Predicting Japan will look to fatigue the Wallabies early and come home the stronger side, Kiss has loaded his bench up with class and mobility, to help the Wallabies finish well in the heatwave hitting Japan.

Key forwards Angus Bell and Jeremy Williams were named as “finishers” for second-half impact, meaning Reds prop Aidan Ross and Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero will make their starting debuts. Elsewhere in the pack, Josh Nasser and Fraser McReight also return to the starting side.

On the bench, mobile Brumbies forwards Billy Pollard and Charlie Cale were also given the nod, with the latter making his first appearance in gold in over two years.

In the backs, Hunter Paisami’s call-up into the No.12 jersey to replace the injured Len Ikitau was the only change, with Kiss opting for continuity in the halves and back three. Carter Gordon was not selected, with Declan Meredith retaining the No.10 jersey and Ben Donaldson staying on the bench.

Another long-serving journeyman, Reds utility Isaac Henry, was named for a possible Test debut in the No.23 jersey. After many years of nasty injuries, the 27-year-old could become Wallaby No.999.

Kiss said the team reflected the desire for continuity in some areas, and depth testing in others. But he also conceded the mix of ‘starters and finishers’ was designed to counter Japan and their likely plan to run Australia off their feet early, and come home the stronger.

“It’s a little bit of horses for courses, just to make sure that we know how we can finish, and the guys with experience that can come out and put some energy and finishing power into a game,” Kiss said.

“At the same time, I think we start with a pretty powerful team as well. But it was a consideration. How do we make sure we get the right start, but the finish was going to be important.

“They’re a fast, physical, dynamic team. They’re pretty fit as well. So, we’re going to have to be on our toes right through to the 80, that’s for sure. We saw what happened last year with a tight tussle [with a Wallabies … win in Tokyo], and at home they are a different proposition to anything else, and we know what they did to Italy. We know how they pushed Ireland.

“We just wanted to make sure we got the right type of mix to be able to get the 80 done.”

Kiss will match wits with Jones for the first time as a head coach, and the former Wallabies coach is known for crafting highly specific game plans to target a rival team’s weakness. But asked how much time he’d spent trying to predict what Jones had planned, Kiss said: “The truth it’s been very little, and that’s not out of disrespect.

“The coaches, we all narrowed in our focus to this team. We know that Eddie will prepare a bloody good team and a savvy team and he’ll challenge us in certain ways. But our focus has been on us, and getting to know each other. We’re nearly two weeks into that now and we’re pleased where we are. We’ve just got to get those 80 minutes right now.”

Amatosero debuted for the Wallabies off the bench in the Wallabies’ win over Italy in July, and Ross – a former Chiefs and All Blacks XV prop who moved to Queensland last year – debuted against Japan in Tokyo last year.

Kiss said he’d been impressed with Amatosero in July, and opted for him over Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who is still getting his way back into full fitness. The coach said Amatosero will have a big role to play in denying the go-forward of Japan’s locks Warner Dearns and Harry Hockings, which would then help deny space for a speedy backline.

Known for being volatile, however, Amatosero may be targeted to lose his cool and earn a card. But Kiss said he was confident the aggressive Waratah was “self-aware” enough to not take the bait. Ross is “rock solid” prop whose reliabilty and team-first actions would prove crucial, Kiss said.

Cale said his selection this week was “almost better than my debut”, after two years of injury problems followed his first games for the Wallabies in Joe Schmidt’s first month, in 2024.

He played two Tests but was later ruled out with injury for the rest of year. He then battled injury throughout 2025 as well, which kept him out of contention.