Kiss moves Suaalii to wing for Springboks clash as Paisami and Ikitau reunite in midfield

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start on the wing for the Wallabies for the first time in his Test career when Australia face the Springboks in Perth, with coach Les Kiss pointing to aerial contests, a reunited midfield partnership, and bench structure as the key drivers behind the selection.

Suaalii, 23, has exclusively worn the No. 13 jersey in his previous run-on appearances for Australia, though he spent much of last season at fullback for the NSW Waratahs and was named in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year in that position. The shift out wide has been a topic of debate among analysts for months — former Wallaby Morgan Turinui publicly stated two months ago that he never wanted to see Suaalii play 13 again.

“The first day and the first meeting I had with Su, we said we’ll start at 13 and that’s where we’ll work from at that stage,” Kiss told reporters in Perth. “The opportunity to look at this game came from probably three or four different angles; aerial battle is going to be big. He’s probably one of the best in the business.”

Kiss also pointed to the form of Hunter Paisami and the class of Len Ikitau as factors that made the reshuffle possible. “I think Hunter has been playing unbelievable footy and Lenny’s class is there so it gave us an opportunity to look at that centre partnership as well, together again,” he said. “Six-two also fashioned out a mindset… it just made sense to us, when we discussed it as a coaching group, to launch him from the wing and he’s up for it.”

Paisami and Ikitau will partner in the midfield for the first time in two years, bringing a combined total of more than 90 Test caps to the role. Ikitau is the reigning John Eales Medal recipient, awarded to the Wallabies’ player of the year.

Suaalii joins Waratahs teammate Max Jorgensen and 50-Test fullback Tom Wright in a new-look back three. Jorgensen, himself named in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year on the wing, welcomed the change.

“It’s very exciting for Su. First game on the wing — I know he’s pretty excited,” Jorgensen said. “Everyone knows what he can bring. Obviously the aerial battle is going to be a huge one, everyone knows how good he is in the air and it’s going to be a good change-up for him.”

The match against South Africa comes with added context: Australia are less than a year out from hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, with the Wallabies set to open the tournament against Hong Kong China on 1 October.