Hunter Paisami will return to the judiciary on Wednesday night [AEST] to clear his name for the Bledisloe Cup, for which the Wallabies have unveiled a 34-man squad that includes forward bolter Toby Macpherson.
Paisami was on Tuesday found guilty, and reportedly handed a four-match ban, for a dangerous tackle on Springboks replacement Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in Australia's 42-38 win in Perth on Sunday night.
But he has since appealed the verdict, a SANZAAR media release confirmed, with the hearing set to dictate whether he travels to New Zealand with the rest of the Wallabies squad next week.
That group was confirmed by coach Les Kiss also Wednesday, with the Queenslander retaining Jordan Petaia as midfield cover despite positive news around star centre Len Ikitau.
Ikitau hobbled off the Optus Stadium pitch with an ankle injury midway through the second half on Sunday night, having earlier scored two tries in the kind of performance that helped win him the 2025 John Eales Medal.
While a syndesmosis injury was feared for Ikitau, the eventual diagnosis was not as serious and he remains a chance of facing the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday week.
Macpherson's inclusion meanwhile comes as a huge surprise, with the Brumbies utility forward following in the footsteps of his ACT teammate Lachlan Shaw who made his Test debut earlier this year.
Macpherson has been called into the squad in place of Tom Hooper, who has returned to English club Exeter.
Fellow Brumbies forward, Nick Frost, will offer injury cover for Josh Canham despite the 38-Test veteran's Super Rugby struggles, which have seen him omitted from all other 2026 Wallabies squads to date.
The end of World Rugby's Test window also means Taniela Tupou has returned for France and Parisian club Racing 92, allowing Massimo De Lutiis to rejoin the squad after he was given a rest following the Australia's return from Argentina.
There is a recall for Filipo Daugunu, too, with the Fijian flyer to offer backline cover for both Ikitau and the outside backs, while Jock Campbell remains on standby should Paisami not be cleared on appeal.
"It's pleasing to keep the core of our squad together for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Series against New Zealand," Wallabies coach Les Kiss said.
"They're a motivated playing group who take pride in representing the gold jersey and each other, but we know Auckland is a huge challenge that will demand we be at our best."
Thursday will mark the one-year countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027, with Kiss and Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams set to appear at an official event in Sydney to mark the occasion.
Kiss boasts an unbeaten record of 4-0-1 from his five Tests in charge so far, but he faces his biggest coaching challenge yet with the Wallabies winless in their last 11 Tests against the All Blacks. Australia have also not beaten New Zealand at Eden Park since 1986.
Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Massimo De Lutiis, Isaac Kailea, Toby Macpherson, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (c).
Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright