Kiss confirms Suaalii stays on wing and Henry starts against All Blacks in Bledisloe opener

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has confirmed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue on the wing for Australia’s Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks, while Queensland Reds utility Isaac Henry earns a starting place in the backline following Hunter Paisami’s suspension.

Suaalii had previously operated exclusively at outside centre for the Wallabies before shifting to the wing during last weekend’s 42-38 win over the Springboks in Perth. The 23-year-old will again join Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright in the back three at Eden Park.

Paisami’s absence through suspension has triggered a midfield reshuffle, with Len Ikitau moving infield from outside centre after recovering from injury. Henry, who earned the nickname Wallaby No. 999 on debut off the bench against Japan in Osaka, slots into the starting side alongside Ikitau.

Kiss described the decision to persist with Suaalii on the wing and reward Henry with a start as straightforward. “We know he can jump back into the midfield during the game, that’s the big thing,” Kiss told reporters in Auckland. “It’s a shame to lose Hunter but we know [Henry has] really done well in the opportunities he’s had. He’s impressed in training, Isaac, so that’s a fairly simple decision in the end.”

The Wallabies coach also stressed the importance of maintaining continuity in the back three after their aerial game proved effective against South Africa. “We just want to persist with that continuity of that back three and see how that can go for another week. We know that aerial game is pretty important and both Max and Joseph did very well last week.”

Henry’s path to this point has been far from smooth. The 27-year-old endured multiple injury setbacks across recent seasons before forcing his way back into contention. Kiss started him in the first Test away to Argentina before moving him to the bench, and Henry did not feature against the Springboks. His reward is now a start in one of rugby’s most storied rivalries.

“Selection is a tough thing — you do disappoint a lot of people at times,” Kiss acknowledged. “However, there’s some good moments in it too and that’s a really good moment to earn that jersey against the All Blacks, and he has earned it. A quality person first and foremost. An exceptional teammate, he’s a team-first person. He works hard on his craft and he just happens to be bloody talented too. It’s a good combination. I’m really pleased for him and he’s ready.”