Lonergan and Meredith picked to start as Les Kiss takes charge for Wallabies Test in Osaka

Les Kiss has named Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith to start in the halves for the Wallabies against Eddie Jones’s Japan in Osaka on Saturday in his first Test as Australia coach, with four changes to the starting XV.

Kiss, 61 years old, has taken over from Joe Schmidt, who won 12 of 31 Tests in two years, and was announced as the next Wallabies coach more than a year ago; he assumed full charge once his contract with Queensland expired last month. Kiss has worked with Schmidt before during their time in Ireland, and his first squad named in July included three newcomers: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Isaac Kailea and Isaac Henry.

Lonergan, the Brumbies No 9, had been named to start in the last three of Schmidt’s matches, and Meredith has played on his outside in the past two fixtures following an injury crisis. Kiss has kept faith with that pairing despite the presence of rugby league returnee Carter Gordon in the squad, and with Tate McDermott available to start from the bench in his 54th Test.

Kiss said his first weeks with the players have been competitive. “Every single player in the squad has pushed hard over the last fortnight to get us to this point, making selecting the matchday 23 a real challenge for the coaches,” he said. “The players selected now have the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the gold jersey and we know they’ll do everything they can to earn the support of all Australians when they take to the field in Osaka on Saturday night.”

There are several changes further down the pack: prop Aidan Ross and second rower Miles Amatosero have earned their first Test starts, while Hunter Paisami comes in at inside centre to replace the injured Len Ikitau. Ross was preferred to Angus Bell, who has started the last eight Wallabies matches but will play from the bench on Saturday, and Amatosero replaces Jeremy Williams. Wingers Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright retain their places in the back three.

No 8 Harry Wilson will captain the side for the 24th time. With barely more than a year until the start of the World Cup, Kiss has largely continued with the group favoured by Schmidt; Schmidt’s final match produced a 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth last month, ending his tenure on a positive note after six losses stretching back to last September. Of the three new faces named in July, only Isaac Henry appears among the matchday replacements and may debut in gold from the substitutes bench.

Australia team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Joseph Suaalii, ​12-Hunter Paisami, ​11-Harry Potter, 10-Declan Meredith, ​9-Ryan Lonergan, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Rob ​Valetini, 5-Miles ‌Amatosero, 4-Josh ​Canham, 3-Allan ​Alaalatoa, 2-Josh Nasser, 1-Aidan Ross.

Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Jeremy Williams, 20-Charlie Cale, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Isaac Henry.