Les Kiss teases new-look Wallabies combination on the flanks

TOWNSVILLE: Wallabies coach Les Kiss has hinted at the possibility of having Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano on the field at the same time, with both flankers named in the matchday 23 to take on Japan in Townsville.

McReight has been a regular starter at openside since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, following in the footsteps of an all-time Wallabies great in that role, Michael Hooper, who won four John Eales Medals during a decorated career.

Hooper formed a similar combination with David Pocock a decade ago, as the two opensides played together. It now seems possible that McReight and Tizzano, who are both believed to be out-and-out sevens, could do the very same in just a matter of days.

Queensland Reds skipper McReight will come off the bench for the second time in three appearances for the national team, with Tizzano instead named to start. Tizzano joins Charlie Cale and Harry Wilson in a new-look Wallabies backrow trio.

Cale hasn’t started for the Wallabies since July 13, 2024, when then coach Joe Schmidt named the loose forward at No. 8. The dynamic ACT Brumbies forward will be joined in the backrow by Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson.

“It gives me an opportunity, and our coaching team, to look at how we can shift and shape that backrow at times. You never know when you need to lean on our resources deeper and this is a great opportunity to do that,” Kiss told reporters.

“Charlie’s proven what he can do with his speed and agility. His lineout prowess – he’s very quick in the air, so it creates those opportunities for us.

“Carlo had a wonderful game against Italy recently and I think just throwing him out there with that energy that he can bring here would be fantastic and obviously, Harry’s leadership at the back at number eight.

“Hopeful that possibly [we can] get Fraser and Carlo on the field at the same time and see if we can explore that as an option in our game as well. Just trying to make sure we make ourselves future-proof and bulletproof going into the games in the future.”

Kiss has made a series of changes to the side that defeated the Brave Blossoms 35-32 in Osaka last weekend, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto a big-name inclusion in the second-row alongside Lachlan Shaw.

Salakaia-Loto missed out on selection for the July Nations Championship Tests but was brought back into the squad for the Flight Centre Series against Japan. The lock has played 45 Tests, making him the second-most experienced starting forward selected.

“Josh [Canham] came back from quite a significant hamstring injury with surgery. He’s played six, seven games in a row and played long minutes. There’s some big games coming up,” Kiss said.

“That gives us a chance to look at Lachlan Shaw. Lachlan and Lukhan will be in the row. They worked together all last week to build that continuity.

“Having an experienced guy like Lukhan next to him only helps Lachie, and Lachlan will get a chance to call, which we just need to make sure we deepen our calling options right throughout.

“Obviously Jeremy comes off the bench and covers loosehead and tighthead and also is a caller. We’re just trying to make sure we balance, get deeper in different positions to make sure we’re robust going forward.”