New Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has revealed that he will be using Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a midfield position in their upcoming internationals.<\/p>\n
Australia are set to take on Japan in back-to-back Tests in Osaka on August 8 and Townsville on August 15.<\/p>\n
Much has been said about Suaalii<\/a>\u2018s best position since he made the switch from rugby union to rugby league ahead of the Wallabies<\/a>\u2018 2024 end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n Former Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt used him at outside centre in those Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland but he featured mostly at full-back for the Waratahs during the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Shone at full-back for the Waratahs<\/p>\n The cross-code convert delivered several excellent performances in the number 15 jersey for the Sydney-based outfit and was eventually selected in that position in Super Rugby Pacific\u2019s Team of the Year for 2025.<\/p>\n However, Schmidt continued to use him at outside centre at Test level and Kiss<\/a> has a similar view although he is open to a positional switch for Suaalii if it is required.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a meeting with Joseph yesterday. He\u2019s a big lad when you get really close to him, but he\u2019s a super athlete,\u201d said Kiss. \u201cHe\u2019s a good footballer on many levels.<\/p>\n \u201cI will be persisting at 13 with him at this stage, but I know that he can go to [full-back] and wing, and that\u2019s important to acknowledge as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Wallabies squad: Les Kiss forced to select one uncapped player as Len Ikitau ruled out for Japan series<\/a><\/p>\n Just one overseas-based player in Wallabies squad<\/p>\n Meanwhile, experienced Racing 92 tighthead prop Taniela Tupou was the only overseas-based player included in the Wallabies\u2019 34-man squad for the Tests against the Brave Blossoms.<\/p>\n Utility forward Tom Hooper, who is currently plying his trade at PREM Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs, was excluded due to a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n Outside back Jordan Petaia, who recently returned to rugby union with Top 14 club Perpignan after a failed stint in American football was also believed to be in the running for a spot in the Wallabies squad but did not make the cut.<\/p>\n