Wallabies coach Les Kiss has finalized his squad for the upcoming Test match against South Africa in Perth, opting to bring in 22-year-old five-eighth Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. The selection comes in the wake of an injury to Carter Gordon, who suffered a broken leg, creating a vacancy in the No 10 position. McLaughlin-Phillips was chosen over other contenders, including Tom Lynagh.

While veterans James O’Connor and Bernard Foley remain in the conversation for future selection, Kiss has stated that they must demonstrate their form in Super Rugby games before they will be considered for the national team. The current squad also sees the retention of Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith, both of whom kept their spots following the team's recent series victory in Argentina.

The decision to prioritize younger talent like McLaughlin-Phillips marks a strategic shift for the Wallabies as they prepare for the high-stakes clash against the Springboks. The coaching staff appears to be balancing the need for immediate replacements due to injury with a long-term plan that requires established veterans to prove their match readiness in domestic competition before returning to the international stage.