Story perspectives

Les Kiss names Suaalii left wing for Wallabies debut

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 11:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Les Kiss will start Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on left wing against South Africa in Perth on Sunday.
Suaalii has never started a match on the wing, after playing outside centre in 21 of his 23 Tests.
Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes, keeping lock Eben Etzebeth and benching Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.
Taniela Tupou said the Wallabies recognise the Springboks’ scrum dominance and view the test as a challenge.

History

Historical Context

On 24 June 1995 South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, beating New Zealand 15-12 in the first extra-time decider. President Nelson Mandela presented the Webb Ellis Cup to captain François Pienaar, marking post-apartheid unity and South Africa’s return to international rugby after its 1992 readmission. That legacy of tactical flexibility underpins Les Kiss’s choice to start Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the Wallabies.

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Story summary

Les Kiss will start Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on left wing against South Africa in Perth on Sunday.
Suaalii has never started a match on the wing, after playing outside centre in 21 of his 23 Tests.
Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes, keeping lock Eben Etzebeth and benching Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.
Taniela Tupou said the Wallabies recognise the Springboks’ scrum dominance and view the test as a challenge.

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