Les Kiss names uncapped 22-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the Wallabies squad for the Perth Test against the Springboks, with O'Connor and Foley told to prove fitness through Super Rugby first.
Les Kiss has named 22-year-old flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the Wallabies squad for the Test against the Springboks in Perth, with veterans James O'Connor and Bernard Foley told to earn their way back through Super Rugby appearances before being considered for selection.
The call-up fills the vacancy left by Carter Gordon, who suffered a broken leg. Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith retain their places in the squad following Australia's series win in Argentina.
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
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Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara, Tomás Albano, Andrew Kellaway and Santiago Arata are among the players confirmed for the Barbarians' June 20 clash with the Springboks in Gqeberha, which opens South Africa's 2026 international season.
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.