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Hobbled Suaalii scratched for Wallabies' Japan rematch
Murray Wenzel, AAP •  August 12th, 2026 7:25 am
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is out of the Wallabies' clash with Japan in Townsville | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Another hamstring injury has ruled Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii out of the Wallabies' rematch with Japan in Townsville as debate rages over the code-hopper's ideal position.
Whether Suaalii remains at outside centre under new coach Les Kiss or is shifted to wing or fullback, remains one of the hottest selection topics ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.
But Kiss will be spared the conundrum altogether on Saturday with the former Sydney Roosters NRL star ruled out due to a hamstring strain suffered in Saturday's three-point win in Osaka.
While described as a "minor" injury, it is a concern for Australian rugby given the big-money recruit managed just six games for the NSW Waratahs this season due to hamstring complaints.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is injured during the warm-up before the NSW-Wellington Hurricanes clash | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Josh Flook will join the squad as cover in what's now a Queensland Reds-heavy midfield contingent.
With Len Ikitau (ankle) also injured, Hunter Paisami wore the No. 12 in Japan and Isaac Henry debuted off the bench at outside centre, pushing Suaalii to the wing.
Their clubmate Filipo Daugunu is another option in the squad, able to play wing, centre or even as a flanker.
Henry can play either inside or outside centre and, after a 10-minute cameo in Osaka, is now in the box seat for a starting debut in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.
Two-time World Cup-winning centre Tim Horan has led the chorus for Suaali's move to the wing, arguing he is being wasted in the centres and would be of more value in open spaces and catching high balls on the edge.
Fullback Tom Wright, who has embraced Kiss's bold attacking mantra, this week described debate around Suaalii's position as a "first-world problem".
Wright, who also finished Saturday's game on the wing, with Ben Donaldson injected at fullback, said the backline's versatility was a blessing.
Les Kiss (right) speaks with Taniela Tupou (left) and forwards coach John Ulugia | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
And he backed Kiss's approach to get the best out of them, despite an unconvincing start in terribly humid and slippery conditions in Japan.
"The mindset's got to be ... trust your instincts," Wright said. "And you love a staff that push that style.
"Bring the game back to how you grew up (playing) in the backyard; trust the first thing that comes to mind.
"And to think maybe in the next five or 10 minutes ahead, about what's going to give us the best chance.
"Finding that balance is what every team in world rugby's trying to chase."
Recovered from a knee reconstruction last year, Wright is improving with each outing and tried his best to ignite Australia's attack in Kiss's first Test in charge.
But a plucky Japan in horribly humid Osaka conditions - coupled with a lack of possession and 20 minutes without a 15th man on the park because of a red card - meant their 35-32 victory presented as more of a grind.
Miles Amatosero was shown a yellow card, later upgraded to red, when he hit falling Japanese captain Warner Dearns high with his shoulder in a clean out.
The Wallabies and Miles Amatosero were handed a huge boost on Tuesday | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
On Tuesday the lock was handed a heavily watered down two-game suspension.
His remorse, history, admission of guilt and commitment to undertaking World Rugby's "tackle school" reduced his penalty from an initial six-game benchmark for "mid-range" foul play.
It means he will be unavailable for the Townsville Test and a Shute Shield fixture next weekend but be available for the two-game Argentina tour that begins at the end of the month.
In his first Test start, it was a setback for an imposing figure keen to show he can toe the line after a preseason training scrap with the NSW Waratahs grew his reputation as a hot head.
But his coach stuck up for him post-game, arguing it wasn't an "emotional decision".
With Suaalii grounded, whether Kiss sticks with flyhalf Declan Meredith alongside Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan for a fourth straight Test shapes as the biggest call of Thursday's team selection.
Carter Gordon, who was impressive against Ireland before missing the next two Tests with a leg injury, is fit again and ran the water in Osaka.
