Wallabies name Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on wing for first start in Springboks Test

The Wallabies will start rugby league recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing for the first time in a new-look backfield for Sunday’s Test against the Springboks in Perth.

It is one of two surprises in the selection by coach Les Kiss, who also named six forwards on his bench in a bid to match the power of the world champions.

Suaalii, who has previously been moved to the wing during Wallabies matches but has never started there, will line up on the left, with Max Jorgensen on the opposite wing and fullback Tom Wright in between.

Australia are unbeaten in Kiss’s four matches as coach, but the side has yet to meet one of the traditional rugby powers. The match against the Springboks is also the last before the one-year countdown to the home World Cup begins.

Kiss said playing against the top team in world rugby “focuses the mind” and the team has relished the preparation. “We’ve had a solid preparation window here in Perth ahead of what’s going to be a massive Test against South Africa,” he said.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa will start between Allan Alaalatoa and Angus Bell in the front row, while the remaining forwards are unchanged from the draw against Argentina in their last outing, with Harry Wilson captaining the side from No 8.

The dynamic forward trio of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano are set to be called upon in the second half, alongside reserve front row Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross and Taniela Tupou as the Wallabies look to challenge the powerful Springboks pack. Tate McDermott and Harry Potter provide the only backline cover from the bench.

The last time the Wallabies used a 6-2 bench was against the British & Irish Lions in the second Test in July last year. The match was won narrowly by the tourists 29-26 thanks to a controversial last-minute try.

One month later, Kiss’ predecessor Joe Schmidt initially named a 6-2 bench – featuring six forwards and two backs – for last year’s match against the Springboks, but made a last-minute change to revert to the more traditional 5-3 split.

The Springboks have rotated their squad following the four-match series against New Zealand dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to his starting side, but the line-up still boasts the talent crucial to their past two World Cup triumphs, including flyhalf Handrè Pollard and the Springboks’ most capped player, lock Eben Etzebeth.

The Wallabies will play a further six Tests this year as they prepare for next year’s home World Cup beginning in October. A two-match series against New Zealand next month is followed by four Nations Championship matches in Europe in November.