SYDNEY — Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has handed rookie Declan Meredith the number 10 jersey for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks at Accor Stadium, Sydney on Saturday, 17 October 2026, as Australia's fly-half injury crisis worsens. Meredith replaces Ben Donaldson, who is unavailable with a minor upper leg injury, with the Wallabies looking to respond after a 50-19 defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park last weekend.
Meredith will earn just his fourth cap after debuting in the Nations Championship against France in July and featuring against Italy and Japan before coming off the bench at Eden Park. He replaces Donaldson, who started Australia's last three Tests at fly-half against Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. Meredith will partner Brumbies clubmate Ryan Lonergan in the halfbacks, while Kiss has been forced to end the Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wing experiment after Len Ikitau was ruled out with concussion. Suaalii shifts into the centres to partner Isaac Henry, with Harry Potter coming in on the left wing, while Max Jorgensen and full-back Tom Wright retain their places.
Kiss has left his loose trio unchanged, with captain Harry Wilson continuing at number eight flanked by Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini. In the second row, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto earns his 50th Test cap alongside Jeremy Williams, having made his debut as Wallaby #914 in a 27-all draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2017. There are two changes in the starting front row, where Aidan Ross is named at loosehead prop alongside clubmate and hooker Josh Nasser and tighthead Allan Alaalatoa. Angus Bell drops to the bench and Brandon Paenga-Amosa misses out entirely, with Bell providing cover alongside recalled Billy Pollard and tighthead Massimo De Lutiis. Kiss has retained a 5-3 bench split, with Josh Canham returning from injury alongside Carlo Tizzano, while Queensland's Kalani Thomas is selected for his first Bledisloe Cup Test as replacement scrum-half, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is in line for a Test debut and Filipo Daugunu completes the 23.
"We got a clear picture last weekend of where we need to be better. We've said all along we'll continue to work hard and grow our game, and the squad has been impressive in the way they have prepared this week," head coach Kiss said. "This Saturday will be a great occasion with the Wallaroos and Sevens teams also playing in our own backyard. Playing our final Test on home soil for 2026 is a huge motivator and we're determined to put out a performance all Australians can be proud of." The match kicks off at 15:45 AEDT and will be refereed by Luke Pearce, with Andrew Brace and Damian Schneider as assistant referees.