The inclusion of ACT Brumbies star Toby Macpherson has turned a lot of heads with fans, but Les Kiss is confident the 22-year-old will be able to meet the challenge of international rugby.
The Wallabies head coach spoke as Australia celebrated one year until the commencement of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, coming off a six-match unbeaten streak after a 42-38 win over the Springboks on Sunday.
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With the likes of Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou set to return to their respective European clubs under the World Rugby regulation 9 window, the chance has come for Kiss to inject some new talent into the mix, with Massimo De Lutiis coming back into the squad for Tupou.
“Every one of this country is on our radar,” Kiss said.
“The Super [Rugby] AUS series has been important for us. We can keep an eye on some guys, and they get footy, and that's important. Toby's been playing well.
“We've got some good options in that space but I think Toby's big advantage was that he plays lock as well as six and with Tom Hooper moving out it just seemed like a logical way to put someone like Toby in and give him that experience in a Wallaby camp.”
The victory over South Africa has put a spotlight firmly on the Wallabies, with Kiss’ side now having their longest unbeaten streak since 2017.
However, the match will also give Kiss plenty of food for thought before his side faces the All Blacks, with Hunter Paisami ruled out for the next four matches due to a high hit late in the game, and injury clouds over Josh Canham and Len Ikitau.
The latter two have been named in the squad to face New Zealand, but should both be unavailable Nick Frost and Jock Campbell will likely be called in as their respective replacements.
Kiss has added that the squad has looked to make sure they address not getting into a situation like losing four players to the bin, and believes there are plenty of ready-made options available should Ikitau also not make it to Eden Park.
“We'll make sure that we'll address it,” Kiss explained when asked about the work-ons from the end of the Springbok clash.
“The boys have already addressed it internally; make sure we do the work that we need to just stay away from that space, but I don't think it's a problem for us, that's for sure.
“[It was] just some accentuating circumstances that raised the tension in the game.
“We just know that there's a possibility that they [Canham and Ikitau] can play. It's 50-50. Josh is probably the least likely at this stage, but we'll make sure we keep an eye on that.
“Lenny's had a scan. There's just bad bruising in the joint. Hopefully that can settle in time, but they can be quite painful, those things.
"[Moving Suaalii back in is] one option. I think it's been the value of having Joseph doing so much work in the 13 channel over the last two or three years. We've also got a fairly handy option with Isaac Henry sitting there as well.
“Filipo [Daugunu], he covers the midfield, and he covers the wing position as well, so we have got some ready-made replacements there for sure.”
With so much discussion around the Wallabies' winning run, discourse has naturally focused on their prospects next year at the home Rugby World Cup. Kiss, however, remains grounded, enjoying seeing the day-to-day progression of the side.
“The boys know what the journey is. I think it's around 13 tests or something like that before we get to that Perth game, they're excited about the journey ahead,” Kiss said.
“What I've loved about the group, right here right now, we focus on what we have to do now and I think if we keep focusing on ourselves, the boys are challenging themselves and each other just to get better every day.
“The future can look after itself if we get those things right. I'm certainly pleased with what the boys are doing, without a doubt. The way that they've gone about their business is very impressive.
“Even after the game on the weekend, there was a sense of dissatisfaction; some of the things they let go with the game getting down to 11 men, but some great qualities came through with that.
“I've got a lot of confidence that the boys are prepared to keep backing themselves every game, and if we do that and we stay focused on that, that's the MO we're operating under.”
Kiss expects a tough challenge at Eden Park, with the All Blacks currently on a 53-game unbeaten streak at the venue and 2026 marking 40 years since the Wallabies last defeated them there.
However, Dave Rennie’s men are also coming into the match on a three-game losing streak, dropping the last three tests in their series against South Africa.
Kiss expects and welcomes the challenge, and expects his team to take their learnings from this year and rise to the occasion, with 2025 seeing the side under Joe Schmidt come close to snapping their hoodoo, ultimately going down 33-24.
“It's going to be tough,” Kiss said.
“They are unbeaten in 53 tests at Eden Park, so it's going to be a formidable challenge. I wouldn't know the stats, but the last time they lost four in a row, I don't know if that's happened before.
“It makes it even more challenging. But the Springboks, they raise the standard; we have to try and meet that. This is another challenge and opportunity for us to see where we can go with it, but we've got a huge amount of respect for that New Zealand team.”
