Les Kiss has recalled star centres Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to a settled 34-man Wallabies squad for the upcoming two-Test Flight Centre Series tour of Argentina, with the bulk of the group that swept Japan retained as the new coach looks to maintain momentum heading into a significant step up in opposition.

Key squad news:

• Len Ikitau returns from ankle injury after missing both Japan Tests; Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also recalled
• Massimo De Lutiis retained after try-scoring debut as Wallaby number 1000
• Miles Amatosero unavailable due to suspension from his Osaka red card
• Jock Campbell and Josh Flook dropped; Zane Nonggorr ruled out through injury
• Tom Wright can reach 50 caps if he features in both Tests
• Squad assembles in Sydney on Saturday before departing for Buenos Aires on Sunday

Ikitau, the 2025 John Eales Medallist, returns after the ankle injury that kept him sidelined for both Tests against Japan. The 53-cap Brumbies centre last played in the 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth last month and will be looking to reclaim his place in the midfield alongside Suaalii, who missed the Townsville Test with a minor hamstring strain but is fit to travel.

All eyes on Argentina 🦘 pic.twitter.com/aVbUZJCgmn

— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 19, 2026

The return of both players creates an intriguing selection headache for Kiss in the centres, where Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry both pressed strong claims during the Japan series. Henry was particularly impressive on his first start in Townsville, his direct running repeatedly buckling the Japanese defensive line, while Paisami was a consistent presence at inside centre across both Tests.

“As coaches we’ve looked to maintain consistency in selection with the bulk of this squad having laid a solid foundation over the past few weeks, through their hard work and connection on and off the field,” Kiss said.

“Touring Argentina presents another tough challenge for us as a new group, and it’s one that we know will require us to go to another level as we continue to look to build and develop our game.”

The Wallabies will face Los Pumas on back-to-back Sundays — first at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy on 30 August before heading south to Mendoza’s Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on 6 September. A number of players in the squad will tour Argentina for the first time.

Lock Miles Amatosero was not considered for selection as he continues to serve the suspension he received for his dangerous cleanout on Japan captain Warner Dearns in Osaka, which saw an initial yellow card upgraded to a 20-minute red. Amatosero is unavailable for the Jujuy fixture and was not included in the touring party.

The squad otherwise remains largely consistent with the group that recorded a 2-0 series sweep of Japan. Massimo De Lutiis retains his place after marking his historic debut as Wallaby number 1000 with a try in the 56-17 rout in Townsville, and is in line for his first international tour. Rob Valetini, Allan Alaalatoa and Josh Canham all return to the squad after being rested for the second Japan Test.

Fullback Jock Campbell and centre Josh Flook are the notable omissions, both dropping out of the squad. Campbell went unused across both Japan Tests, and his absence leaves Tom Wright as the only specialist fullback in the touring party. Kiss does have cover, however, with Ben Donaldson having filled in at fullback off the bench in Osaka, while Jorgensen and Suaalii have both played the position at Super Rugby level. Zane Nonggorr has also been ruled out through injury.

Wright, currently on 48 caps, has the potential to reach the 50-Test milestone in Mendoza should he feature in both matches. Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou remain the two overseas-based players in the group, with Tupou available under World Rugby’s regulation nine laws after his dominant display against Japan that included a first-half double in Townsville.

The fly-half picture remains a work in progress, with Carter Gordon, Donaldson and Declan Meredith all named as playmaking options. Gordon started the Townsville Test and produced an encouraging return, while Meredith has been retained in the squad despite missing the matchday 23 last weekend. At scrum-half, Ryan Lonergan and Tate McDermott are expected to share duties once more, with uncapped Kalani Thomas yet to feature this year.

The tour represents a significant challenge for Kiss’s developing side. Argentina have struggled in 2026, losing to South Africa, England and Scotland at home, but Felipe Contepomi’s side have regularly troubled the Wallabies. Australia were pipped in Sydney last September and scraped home a week earlier in Townsville, while the sides split their series in Argentina in 2025.

The Wallabies ride a three-match winning streak into the tour following their 57-10 victory over Italy and the 2-0 sweep of Japan. Four consecutive wins would be their longest run since Dave Rennie was in charge in 2021.

The squad will assemble in Sydney on Saturday before departing for Buenos Aires on Sunday.

Wallabies squad for the Flight Centre Series Tests against Argentina

Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 92 caps), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 55 caps), Charlie Cale (ACT Brumbies, 4 caps), Josh Canham (Queensland Reds, 6 caps), Massimo De Lutiis (Queensland Reds, 1 cap), Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps), Isaac Kailea (NSW Waratahs, 8 caps), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 44 caps), Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds, 15 caps), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force, 29 caps), Billy Pollard (ACT Brumbies, 22 caps), Aidan Ross (Queensland Reds, 5 caps), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds, 46 caps), Lachlan Shaw (ACT Brumbies, 3 caps), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 16 caps), Taniela Tupou (Racing 92, 72 caps), Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies, 66 caps), Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 30 caps), Harry Wilson (c) (Queensland Reds, 41 caps).

Backs (15): Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds, 23 caps), Ben Donaldson (Western Force, 23 caps), Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds, 11 caps), Isaac Henry (Queensland Reds, 2 caps), Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies, 53 caps), Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs, 25 caps), Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies, 10 caps), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds, 55 caps), Declan Meredith (ACT Brumbies, 3 caps), Hunter Paisami (Queensland Reds, 37 caps), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force, 11 caps), Harry Potter (NSW Waratahs, 14 caps), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 22 caps), Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds, 1 cap), Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies, 48 caps).

Unavailable for selection: Miles Amatosero, Ethan Dobbins, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Zac Lomax, Tom Lynagh, Zane Nonggorr, Henry Robertson, Tom Robertson, Blake Schoupp, Will Skelton.

Tour fixtures:

Argentina v Wallabies, Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy. Sunday 30 August, 5.00am AEST.

Argentina v Wallabies, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. Sunday 6 September, 7.00am AEST.

Western Force back Zac Lomax will leave Super Rugby Pacific at the end of next season after signing a three-year contract with NRL expansion side the PNG Chiefs, ending any prospect of a Wallabies debut — but Australian rugby has secured a major win with teenage star Treyvon Pritchard recommitting to the Queensland Reds.

• Lomax signed with the PNG Chiefs on Sunday in Port Moresby, becoming the club’s fifth confirmed signing ahead of their 2028 NRL debut
• The 26-year-old will see out his Force contract and the remainder of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season before switching codes
• Lomax scored two tries in seven appearances for the Force after joining mid-season and had been targeting a Wallabies call-up
• Queensland Reds rising star Treyvon Pritchard, 19, turned down the Chiefs and the Sydney Roosters to sign a new three-year deal with Rugby Australia
• Racing 92 centre Joey Manu is also reportedly weighing up a move to the PNG Chiefs

Lomax was unveiled as “Chief #005” at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday, formalising his move alongside his family, PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson and general manager of football Michael Chammas.

“I did not think that it would be so soon, but life changes and circumstances do and it is all for the better,” Lomax said. “For me, everything comes for a reason and you go with your heart and gut.”

The former NSW State of Origin representative had switched codes mid-season to join the Force after a turbulent departure from the Parramatta Eels and the collapse of the R360 competition. Despite a promising start in Super Rugby Pacific — two tries in seven appearances — Lomax is currently sidelined by injury and his ambitions of earning a Wallabies call-up now appear over.

He will remain with the Force for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season before joining the Chiefs for their inaugural pre-season in late 2027.

“I am all in and it is obviously in 2028, so with regards to rugby I am still there for another year and really looking forward to finish the best I can, and compete to the best I can,” Lomax said.

Chammas described Lomax as a key piece of the Chiefs’ puzzle.

“We are delighted to have Zac onboard, and everyone knows how phenomenal a footballer he is,” Chammas said. “He will do wonderful things for this country.”

The signing is the latest in a growing list of cross-code raids by the expansion franchise. Lomax joins halfback Jarome Luai, fullback Alex Johnston, utility Connor Watson and prop Matty Lees on the Chiefs’ roster, while Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has been granted permission to negotiate with the club.

Racing 92 inside centre Joey Manu is also reportedly weighing up a return to rugby league with the Chiefs after visiting Port Moresby last week. Manu, a former New Zealand international in both codes, would be a significant loss for French rugby if he were to depart.

Pritchard stays

However, the PNG Chiefs have not had it all their own way. In a significant victory for Australian rugby, Queensland Reds teenager Treyvon Pritchard has turned down the Chiefs and the Sydney Roosters to sign a three-year contract extension with the Reds and Rugby Australia.

Pritchard, 19, was one of the Chiefs’ primary targets after a breakout first year out of school that included his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Reds and a starring role at the Under-20s World Championships in Georgia, where the utility back was named in the team of the tournament.

His retention sits alongside Max Jorgensen’s long-term recommitment last year as a landmark moment for Australian rugby, which has lost numerous teenage talents to the NRL over the past decade. Eleven players who featured in the most recent State of Origin series had played schoolboy rugby or junior representative rugby in Sydney or Brisbane.

Pritchard’s tournament in Georgia was cut short by a broken leg suffered in a hip-drop tackle against Wales. He underwent surgery last week and is hoped to return in time to potentially feature for Australia A against the USA in late October.

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss, who named his first 34-player squad last week for the August Tests against Japan, indicated he plans to explore his depth in the coming months ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“Over the next 10 Test matches, I’m going to stretch it out a bit and make sure I see a few players as well in other positions,” Kiss said.

Les Kiss has named his first Wallabies squad as head coach, with uncapped Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry the headline inclusion in a 34-player group selected for the upcoming Flight Centre Series against Japan.

Key squad news

• Uncapped Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry earns his first Wallabies call-up
• Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto recalled after missing the Nations Championship squad
• Waratahs prop Isaac Kailea returns to replace retired James Slipper
• Len Ikitau (ankle) and Tom Hooper (shoulder) ruled out through injury
• Carter Gordon, Josh Nasser and Hunter Paisami return from injury
• Harry Wilson retained as captain; squad trimmed from 36 to 34

Henry, 27, is the only uncapped player in the squad and is in line for his Test debut after last year’s John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau was ruled out with a minor ankle injury. The powerful midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Reds in 2026, having battled through a series of devastating injuries earlier in his career, and now finds himself on the cusp of pulling on the gold jersey for the first time.

The Wallabies will face Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms on back-to-back Saturdays — first at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka on 8 August before returning home for the second Test at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on 15 August.

Kiss, who was announced as Joe Schmidt’s successor 450 days ago but only officially took office this week following the conclusion of Queensland’s Super Rugby season, has not strayed far from the group that played through the Nations Championship in July. The squad has been trimmed from 36 to 34, however, and the new head coach has made several pointed selection calls that signal his thinking ahead of next year’s home World Cup.

Chief among the changes is the recall of Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who was controversially overlooked for the July Tests and instead played for the Barbarians and Souths in Queensland Premier Rugby. The 45-cap lock brings considerable experience to the forward pack and could also offer Kiss a back-row option, particularly given the omission of former captain Nick Champion de Crespigny.

Waratahs prop Isaac Kailea has also been brought back into the fold after a two-year absence from the national set-up. The 8-cap loosehead replaces James Slipper, the Test match record-holder who returned to Canberra after an SOS call-up out of retirement in July. Kailea’s inclusion is part of what appears to be a deliberate push to build younger depth at loosehead ahead of the World Cup.

The squad is bolstered by the return of three players who missed the final Nations Championship Test against Italy in Perth. Hooker Josh Nasser is available again after recovering from a concussion sustained against France, inside centre Hunter Paisami has overcome a knee complaint, and fly-half Carter Gordon has shaken off the calf injury that sidelined him since the opening Test against Ireland. Gordon will compete with Ben Donaldson and the uncapped Declan Meredith for the starting fly-half role.

A new chapter begins 🦘

Les Kiss' first Wallabies squad. pic.twitter.com/owf8jn0jWq

— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 23, 2026

Tom Hooper continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury and remains unavailable, joining Ikitau, Zac Lomax, Tom Lynagh, Will Skelton and several others on the sidelines. Winger Corey Toole and centre Josh Flook, who were both part of the July squad, have been dropped entirely.

Racing 92 prop Taniela Tupou is the sole overseas-based selection in the group, which is heavily weighted towards Queensland, with the Reds contributing the lion’s share of players across both the forward pack and the backline.

Number eight Harry Wilson has been retained as captain, a role he has held since 2024. There had been speculation Kiss might hand the armband to Reds skipper Fraser McReight, but the new coach has opted for continuity in his first squad.

“Selection is always a challenging process, but as coaches we’ve looked to bring together a group based on form, cohesion and how we want to play the game,” Kiss said.

“Spending time with the group over the last few weeks alongside Scott McLeod and Jonny Fisher has been incredibly valuable as we look to hit the ground running.

“It’s been encouraging to see how tight they are as a group and how hard they work for each other and the gold jersey. The challenge now is for everyone to roll up their sleeves and find a new level of consistency.”

The squad will assemble in Sydney on Tuesday before departing for Japan next Saturday.

Kiss takes the reins with the Wallabies’ July results fresh in the mind. Australia lost narrowly to Ireland 31-33 in Sydney before a chastening 26-42 defeat to France in Brisbane, then brought an end to a six-game losing streak with a dominant 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth — a match in which Josh Canham became the first Wallaby in 127 years to score a hat-trick.

The Japan series represents Kiss’s first opportunity to put his own stamp on the side before the serious business of the Rugby Championship begins at the end of August, with Tests against Argentina in Jujuy and Mendoza, South Africa in Perth, and New Zealand in Auckland and Sydney. The Wallabies will then head north in November for Nations Championship Tests against England at Twickenham, Scotland at Murrayfield and Wales at the Principality Stadium.

With the World Cup on home soil now barely 14 months away, these two Tests against Japan offer Kiss a crucial window to assess his playing stocks and begin building the combinations he wants to take into 2027.

Wallabies squad for the Flight Centre Series Tests against Japan

Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 91 caps), Miles Amatosero (NSW Waratahs, 1 cap), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 53 caps), Charlie Cale (ACT Brumbies, 2 caps), Josh Canham (Queensland Reds, 5 caps), Isaac Kailea (NSW Waratahs, 8 caps), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 42 caps), Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds, 13 caps), Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds, 20 caps), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force, 28 caps), Billy Pollard (ACT Brumbies, 21 caps), Aidan Ross (Queensland Reds, 3 caps), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds, 45 caps), Lachlan Shaw (ACT Brumbies, 2 caps), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 15 caps), Taniela Tupou (Racing 92, 70 caps), Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies, 65 caps), Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 28 caps), Harry Wilson (c) (Queensland Reds, 39 caps).

Backs (15): Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds, 6 caps), Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds, 22 caps), Ben Donaldson (Western Force, 21 caps), Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds, 10 caps), Isaac Henry (Queensland Reds, uncapped), Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs, 23 caps), Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies, 8 caps), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds, 53 caps), Declan Meredith (ACT Brumbies, 2 caps), Hunter Paisami (Queensland Reds, 35 caps), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force, 11 caps), Harry Potter (NSW Waratahs, 12 caps), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 21 caps), Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds, 1 cap), Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies, 46 caps).

Unavailable for selection: Ethan Dobbins, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau, Zac Lomax, Tom Lynagh, Henry Robertson, Tom Robertson, Blake Schoupp, Will Skelton.

Match details:

Wallabies v Japan, Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka. Saturday 8 August, 9.15pm AEST / 8.15pm JST.

Wallabies v Japan, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. Saturday 15 August, 3.00pm AEST.