Kiss to keep Wallabies door open to overseas players in search of winning formula

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss signaled a pragmatic shift, stating he will "look far and wide" for talent, including overseas-based players, to boost the team's winning prospects. Kiss announced his inaugural Wallabies squad on Thursday for the upcoming two-test series against Eddie Jones's Japan. The selection largely mirrors the fit players utilized by his predecessor, Joe Schmidt.

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We want the right players to be here on many levels, and we want players that can make a difference and give us what we need to win games.

While Rugby Australia policy traditionally limits coaches from selecting players based abroad to encourage domestic competition, Kiss indicated a greater openness to international talent if it provides a competitive edge. "We want the right players to be here on many levels, and we want players that can make a difference and give us what we need to win games," Kiss told reporters. "We'll look far and wide for those, and I won't be afraid of looking overseas, that's for sure, but at the same time (I will) respect the players that are here and what we've got here."

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We'll look far and wide for those, and I won't be afraid of looking overseas, that's for sure, but at the same time (I will) respect the players that are here and what we've got here.

Kiss, formerly of the Queensland Reds, has maintained faith in the squad that faced challenges in the Nations Championship, including close losses and significant defeats. He intends for the Wallabies to embody an "Aussie spirit" characterized by creativity and competitiveness, a departure from recent results where the team has lost nine of its last 11 tests and ranks eighth globally. He also confirmed that Joseph Suaalii, a high-profile recruit from the National Rugby League, will continue at outside centre, despite debate about his best position.

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I think there is an Aussie spirit that comes through in our game.