Undeterred by any Eddie Jones surprises, Les Kiss is confident he's balanced the "here and now" of winning in his Wallabies coaching debut with longer-term Rugby World Cup aspirations.
The new mentor has come out swinging ahead of his first Test in charge - against Japan in sweltering Osaka on Saturday - making nine changes to the Australian side that beat Italy in their last start.
The Wallabies will meet the Jones-coached outfit again in Townsville a week later and Kiss, taking over from Joe Schmidt ahead of next year's home showpiece, has delivered on his promise to test the depth of the squad.
Aidan Ross will make his starting debut in the front row alongside recalled hooker Josh Nasser (concussion), while Miles Amatosero will also start for the first time, named in the second row alongside Josh Canham.
Fraser McReight will return to the starting side, with fit-again two-Test backrower Charlie Cale, missing from the Test arena since 2024, on the bench and Carlo Tizzano squeezed out of the squad.
Hunter Paisami will replace Len Ikitau (ankle) in the No.12 while fellow Reds centre Isaac Henry could debut after being named on the bench.
Taniela Tupou is also back into the side after he missed the Italy Test while there is consistency in the halves with Declan Meredith to start alongside Ryan Lonergan for the third-straight Test.
Kiss has resisted the urge to recall fit-again No.10 Carter Gordon and, after including lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the squad, has kept the firebrand on ice.
He said Lonergan and Meredith - both Brumbies - displayed a symmetry in training that convinced him to stick with them, while he was full of praise for Henry's ability to overcome a series of serious injuries in recent years to provide backline cover.
Kiss expects Ross, the NSW-born, NZ-raised prop who played one Test for the All Blacks back in 2022, to provide a no-fuss platform after watching him deliver for the Reds all season.
"We're trying to find depth in certain positions … but pick a Test team that wins," Kiss, who struck a quiet and calm figure addressing his first squad selection on Thursday, said.
"There's always something in the mind of a coach that's trying to position where 'this' is, up here, in the future.
"But in the here and now ... that balance is always there."
Searing temperatures in Osaka will likely force the match to be played in 20-minute quarters with drinks breaks in between.
Jones's Japan are expected to play a high-tempo, fast-paced style capable of upsetting the visitors and have named expats Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter and Harry Hockings.
Cornelsen has moved from the backrow to pack in at lock beside captain Warner Dearns while fellow lock Hockings will come off the bench and Gunter will wear No.8.
Kiss has stacked his bench with Angus Bell, Jeremy Williams, Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou in a "horses for courses" strategy to ensure they don't wilt late in the contest.
"Like Ballymore, middle of January vibe," Ross said of the humidity.
"You bite down hard and you can't change the weather. Embrace it.
"When Les told me at the start of the week (I was starting), it was very special. I've got to repay Les and do the jersey proud."
Jones coached the Wallabies to the final of the 2003 World Cup in Australia and returned to lead them in the 2023 showpiece, a short-lived stint that ended in a historic early Cup exit and his controversial move to Japan.
"It's been very little and that's not out of disrespect, it's just making sure this team narrows it's focus," Kiss said of Jones occupying his thoughts.
"They're savvy and will challenge us, but our focus has been on us."
WALLABIES: Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Miles Amatosero, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter, Hunter Paisami, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry.
