Jordan Petaia returns as Les Kiss reshuffles Wallabies for Springboks

Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has made minimal changes to his squad for the Springboks in Perth on Sunday, September 27, drafting in three new players.

Jordan Petaia, who hasn’t featured for the Wallabies since the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, returns, alongside Force first-five Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Queensland Reds prop Zane Nonggorr.

Petaia spent the 2026 season at French Top 14 club Perpignan, before signing with the Urayasu D-Rocks.

Reds outside-back Filipo Daugunu and prop Massimo De Lutiis both miss out due to workload management, while Dylan Pietsch is injured.

With Reds playmaker Carter Gordon out with injury, McLaughlin-Phillips is called up for cover, with Tom Lynagh and James O’Connor overlooked by the new Wallabies head coach.

When announcing his squad, Kiss credited Petaia’s work during his time away from the Wallabies.

“We’ve got a lot of good back three players here in the country. We make sure we look at all of them. It was just the ideal opportunity to see Jordan; he’s been out of the system for a couple of years now,” Kiss told reporters.

“He has played in two World Cups; we just wanted to have a touch base with him, have him come and work out with us, see how he’s going.

“We haven’t selected that team yet, but we have selected the squad, so it was just a good opportunity to see Jordan back in the environment and for him to have a good look at us with the new coaching structure and all those sort of things.”

The new Wallabies head coach detailed where the 26-year-old could feature, after proving his versatility over several seasons.

“He’s been out of the Australian system for a while, but it was important that we just broaden our understanding of what’s available and how they’re looking,” Kiss said.

“There’s a lot of good back three in our country at the moment that are playing here, and That’s why Super AUS is important to us, so we can look at these players and see them in action and keep a good eye on them.

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“Positionally, we know he’s covered wing, 15 and 13 in the past, so once he hits the ground with us, we’ll have a good look at it, but it’ll definitely be in one of those positions, likely a back three position, I’d say, at this stage.”

The former Reds head coach is aware of the upcoming challenge, knowing his side must rise to the occasion.

“We’ve had some good, intense matches, but we’re certainly stepping up another level when we come up against Springboks in a fortnight,” Kiss added.

“We’re aware of that, we know we have to be better in certain areas, and we’re working hard to make sure we can improve on that. They’ll be in our backyard so we’ll be up for the fight.”

Wallabies squad for Springboks:

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: Josh Flook, Langi Gleeson, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Will Skelton, Matt Philip, Blake Schoupp, Henry Robertson, Pete Samu.