SYDNEY — Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has named a 34-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand, retaining the bulk of the side that secured a 42-38 triumph over the Springboks in Perth. Australia opens its campaign at Eden Park in Auckland on October 10 before the return fixture at Accor Stadium in Sydney seven days later.
The uncapped Toby Macpherson is the shock selection among three new faces. The 22-year-old utility forward, equally at home on the flank or at lock, impressed for the Brumbies during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign and at 1.99 metres and 113 kilograms offers physicality and a lineout option. A former Australia U20 captain with 13 caps at that level, he replaces Tom Hooper, who has returned to Exeter Chiefs. He is joined by 22-year-old front-rower Massimo De Lutiis, the Wallabies' 1000th Test player after his debut off the bench in the 56-17 win over Japan in Townsville last month where he scored a try, with further appearances against Argentina in Jujuy and Buenos Aires. Experienced utility back Filipo Daugunu, 31, also returns after a minor knee injury ruled him out in Perth, having last featured in the 28-28 draw with Los Pumas in Buenos Aires.
Kiss, who took over from Joe Schmidt at the end of the Nations Championship Tests in July, heads into the series on a five-match unbeaten run. The challenge is stark at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost in 53 Tests since 1994. Kiss has built depth with a blend of experience and youth, and Australia would claim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002 if they win both Tests.
The squad was shaped by World Rugby Regulation 9, with Tests falling outside the mandatory release window. Tighthead Taniela Tupou has returned to Racing 92 and Hooper to Exeter Chiefs, and both impressed off the bench in the second half against South Africa but are unavailable to face the All Blacks as clubs can refuse release outside the window.
Reds full-back Campbell is the only player technically dropped after Perth and is on standby for Hunter Paisami, whose availability is subject to a disciplinary hearing after a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu late against South Africa. Campbell started in the narrow loss to Ireland in the Nations Championship opener in Sydney in July and came off the bench against France the following week but has not featured in a matchday squad since.