Wallabies coach Les Kiss is hoping the injection of Carter Gordon can help supercharge their attack as he freshens up the side for Saturday's second Test against Japan in Townsville.
Kiss has made eight changes to the starting side, including nearly a fresh starting forward pack.
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But the most notable change comes at flyhalf in the form of Carter Gordon, cleared to return after a calf injury.
The Reds playmaker has struggled over the past 12 months with injury, nursing a quad complaint throughout the Spring Tour.
With Gordon cleared to return, Kiss is hoping to exploit his athleticism to open up the game.
“We know what Carter can bring. Carter has had an injury about four or five weeks ago so we've just really built up his robustness and he's ready to go again," he told the media in Townsville.
“Obviously, Carter's got many strengths. He takes the line on and we do believe that we can open up and stretch this opposition that we're playing against. If we can be more active this week, it'll be on the back of what Carter can do.”
Kiss has also rested a host of players after a gruelling Test in Osaka was played in over 30-degree heat well into the night.
This includes standouts Rob Valetini and Josh Canham, with Canham missing a host of matches in 2026 with a hamstring injury.
The former Reds boss was hoping for a more direct approach in attack after a number of loose moments helped inspire Japan's counter-attacking prowess.
“We tried to make sure we freshened the team up this week," Kiss notes.
“If anything, we probably overplayed our hand a few times, tried to attack space that was like fool's gold, but we probably needed to be a bit more direct. When we were direct, I think we made a good impression on the game and could show our skills.
“It was a tough outing. You expect nothing less in Test Rugby, though."
The changes will see Ipswich product Lachie Shaw make his Test debut alongside the returning Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, whilst Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou maintain their lethal partnership in the front-row.
Meanwhile, Isaac Henry starts in the midfield alongside Hunter Paisami, reuniting the pair with Gordon after the trio came through the ranks of Wests together in 2018-19.
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Charlie Cale, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu
