Brumbies back-rower Toby Macpherson has earned his first call-up in the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup, while Hunter Paisami will fight a reported four-match ban at a SANZAAR hearing on Wednesday night.
Coach Les Kiss named a 34-man group of 19 forwards and 15 backs on Wednesday for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which opens at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, October 10 at 5:10pm AEDT. The squad assembles in Auckland on Sunday, Rugby Australia confirmed.
Paisami has been named, but his availability depends on the outcome of the hearing. Should he be unavailable, Jock Campbell will be brought into the group.
Macpherson rewarded for Brumbies form
Macpherson, 22, was born in Dubbo and raised in Goondiwindi, and can play lock or in the back row. Rugby Australia said he had been rewarded for strong performances for the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby AUS. The former Australia under-20s captain replaces Tom Hooper, who has returned to Exeter because the next two Tests fall outside World Rugby’s Regulation 9 release window.
The same rule means Racing 92 prop Taniela Tupou is unavailable, with Wallaby No.1000 Massimo De Lutiis recalled in his place. Macpherson and Western Force playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are the two uncapped players in the squad.
Filipo Daugunu has been recalled after recovering from a minor knee issue, while Nick Frost comes in as injury cover for Josh Canham, who is still managing a minor hamstring strain picked up in Perth.
Paisami’s ban and the centre picture
ESPN reported Paisami was found guilty on Tuesday and reportedly handed a four-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Springboks replacement Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in Sunday’s 42-38 win in Perth. ESPN said a SANZAAR media release confirmed he had appealed, with the hearing to decide whether he travels to New Zealand.
The Reds centre was the fourth Wallaby sin-binned in that Test, as covered in TSB’s report on the Paisami citing. The Brisbane Times reported that if the appeal fails, Paisami could serve part of the ban during October’s two-match Australia A tour.
Len Ikitau has been named despite hurting his ankle against the Springboks. ESPN reported a feared syndesmosis injury was ruled out and the 2025 John Eales Medallist remains a chance to face the All Blacks. Jordan Petaia has been kept as midfield cover, and the Brisbane Times noted Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Isaac Henry, who have never started a Test together, loom as a possible pairing if Ikitau is not fit.
What Kiss said
“It’s pleasing to keep the core of our squad together for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Series against New Zealand,” Kiss said.
“They’re a motivated playing group who take pride in representing the gold jersey and each other, but we know Auckland is a huge challenge that will demand we be at our best.”
The Eden Park challenge
Australia have not won at Eden Park since 1986, and ESPN noted the Wallabies are winless in their last 11 Tests against the All Blacks. Kiss is unbeaten in his five Tests in charge (four wins and a draw), a run capped by the 42-38 win over South Africa in Perth.
The Brisbane Times reported hooker Codie Taylor will captain New Zealand with Ardie Savea sidelined by a shoulder injury, while Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell return for Dave Rennie’s side. The second Test is at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, October 17.
Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Massimo De Lutiis, Isaac Kailea, Toby Macpherson, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (c).
Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright.
Injury cover: Nick Frost.
More News
