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Kiss wants fit-again Wallabies playmaker Gordon to 'open up' Japan / Photo: © AFP
Kiss wants fit-again Wallabies playmaker Gordon to 'open up' Japan
Australia coach Les Kiss is banking on playmaker Carter Gordon to "open up" Japan after he was among eight changes Thursday for their return clash, including an almost completely new forward pack.
The new Wallabies coach got off to a winning start last week in Osaka when Australia edged Eddie Jones's side 35-32, but the game was played in gruelling heat and humidity.
With the conditions taking their toll, Kiss has opted to rest some of his key players for Saturday's clash in Townsville and give an opportunity to others in the wider squad as he continues to experiment.
Gordon returns from a calf injury at fly-half in place of Declan Meredith, partnering Ryan Lonergan at scrum-half.
"We know what Carter can bring. Carter has had an injury about four or five weeks ago so we've just really built up his robustness and he's ready to go again," Kiss said.
"Obviously, Carter's got many strengths. He takes the line on and we do believe that we can open up and stretch this opposition. If we can be more active this week, it'll be on the back of what Carter can do."
In one further change to the backline, Isaac Henry will start for the first time at inside centre in place of the injured Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
He forms a midfield partnership with Queensland Reds teammate Hunter Paisami who shifts to outside centre.
The back three remains consistent for a third consecutive Test, with Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen on the wings and Tom Wright at fullback.
Only Josh Nasser and Harry Wilson are retained from Osaka in the pack.
There's a new-look second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Lachlan Shaw named as the locks.
Charlie Cale starts for the first time at blindside flanker, with Carlo Tizzano on the openside and captain Wilson anchoring the scrum at No.8.
Experienced props Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell return to combine with Nasser in the front row.
"We tried to make sure we freshened the team up this week," Kiss said.
"It was a tough outing (in Osaka). You expect nothing less in Test Rugby, though."
It is the first match between the two nations on Australian soil for 39 years. The last was won by Australia 42-23 in Sydney at the 1987 World Cup.
Australia (15-1)
Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Issac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Charlie Cale; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw; Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu
H. Garcia--JDB
