Australia seek to convert flashes of brilliance into sustained form ahead of Sunday’s Test with England

Australia have produced individual flashes of brilliance — such as Len Ikitau’s underhand pass to Max Jorgensen that led to a late try at Twickenham — but Les Kiss’s Wallabies, now custodians of a team with evident talent, must find a way to string those moments together as they prepare to face England this Sunday on the tour.

A history of inconsistency frames the current challenge: Australia lost all four Tests on a European tour last autumn and suffered two further defeats in the summer before compiling an unbeaten run of six against Italy, Japan, Argentina and South Africa; that sequence was interrupted by back-to-back Bledisloe Cup defeats to the All Blacks, by 31 points one week and 22 the next. The last Australian side widely regarded as cohesive and self-assured was the squad around the 2015 World Cup, which had coalesced under Michael Cheika after Ewen McKenzie resigned a year earlier.

For Sunday’s Test the selectors have named Tom Wright at full-back with Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wings and Len Ikitau returning to midfield, providing a potent backline threat. The back row will include Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, with Jeremy Williams named at No 6 behind Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, creating a pack that features three locks and Rob Valetini available on the bench; props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa are the experienced anchors in the front row.

Kiss is the fourth head coach in three years and is attempting to knit the squad together after a turbulent coaching succession that followed Dave Rennie’s 2023 departure; the article notes Rennie’s exit looks worse the longer New Zealand continue to improve under his leadership, and that Eddie Jones’s brief spell caused damage that Joe Schmidt had to repair. Kiss, who worked as Schmidt’s assistant with Ireland, said on Friday: "We understand what next year is, and the nature of what will come with it, the type of demands and expectation," and added: "We know that this tour is an opportunity to set up next year in a way, but we’re just not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We want to stay focused on what we can do right here and right now. I’m going to do a bit of coach talk here – the only thing that matters is we get this kick-off right and we get every minute right."

Selection and recruitment questions remain in play: Kurtley Beale has been recalled, while James O’Connor, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps have each signed single-year deals with Australian clubs seeking one last hurrah. The squad has also attracted players switching codes and returning from overseas — Mark Nawaqanitawase is back playing in Japan and Angus Crichton has signed for the Waratahs and was in with the squad this week. On Crichton’s visit Kiss said: "He was over here on his holidays," Kiss explained. "His partner is from the north of England, and he took the opportunity just to pop in and say hello and see the guys." Kiss reiterated selection standards with the comment: "It won’t be gifted," he said, "We’re not desperate for anyone – we want people to earn their position. This jersey is not just given. That’s for sure."

The coming Test offers a concrete opportunity to assess whether the individual strengths described above can produce consistent team performances across a match and beyond; Kiss has framed the tour as a chance to lay foundations for next year. They face England this Sunday, a match Kiss and the squad treat as a stepping stone in building toward the demands he has outlined for the season ahead.