The clock to next year's home Rugby World Cup is continuing to tick away with less than a year until the Wallabies open the tournament in Perth against Hong Kong China. But with 12 Tests to play out until Oct. 1, we've run the rule over Australia's World Cup aspirants to see who has risen, fallen or maintained their positions in the squad.
A Bledisloe Cup whitewash from the All Blacks, and two easy Australia A victories over USA Eagles have played out since our first Wallabies Depth Chart in October, with Les Kiss and his men falling back to earth with a resounding thud following a six-Test unbeaten run. Meanwhile, several wider squad members took their opportunity with both hands in the USA to make an impression on the Wallabies coaching group.
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After building momentum through an unlikely victory over the Springboks and a first series win in Argentina, the Wallabies were reminded how far off the pace they remain, shipping 93 points across two Tests to the All Blacks and falling to No. 7 on the world rankings. While injuries, suspensions and unavailability to key personnel has exposed just how slim the Australian ranks remain in key positions.
With four matches played since our last depth chart, and another four Tests to come to finish the year, here's ESPN's best attempt to observe the field and predict where Kiss will lean in under 12 months' time.
Loosehead prop
Starter: Angus Bell
Next in line: James Slipper, Aiden Ross, Tom Lambert, Isaac Kailea, Blake Schoupp, Tom Robertson
Rising: Tom Lambert
After an impressive Super Rugby season with the Waratahs, Lambert made the most of his callup to the Australia A squad, starting in the team's shutout win in New Jersey. He was solid at set-piece and held his own across the park. It was perfect timing with the 25-year-old earning his Wallabies squad call up just days earlier. He'll be pushing hard for a bench role in the UK and will be asking plenty of questions of Ross.
Sliding: Aidan Ross
Coming off the bench in the opening Bledisloe Cup belting in Eden Park before earning a start in the reciprocal Test in Sydney, Ross was uninspiring. He struggled to gain his footing at Eden Park in a forward pack that was outplayed in the final 20 minutes, while he played just 40 minutes in Sydney before he was replaced by Angus Bell after the break. While his Sydney performance was better, he failed to make an impression.
Maintaining: Angus Bell
Bell continues to be Australia's premier prop. A hard ball-runner and excellent scrummager, his presence was immediately missed once taken from the pitch at Eden Park. He was a workhorse in New Zealand with 15 tackles and four carries, before he produced the best performance of the bench players in Sydney, working to claw some respectability back in a losing game. With James Slipper absent until 2027, it's clear Kiss will need to decide where Bell is best utilised, as a starter providing stability and power early, or off the bench, à la the Springboks' Bomb Squad, in a bid to finish fast and hard.
Hooker
Starter: Brandon Paenga-Amosa
Next in line: Billy Pollard, Josh Nasser, Matt Faessler, Lachlan Lonergan, Ethan Dobbins
Rising: Matt Feassler
Captaining Australia A for their two-match series, Faessler was one of the top performers of the tour. His throw was accurate at the lineout, and he worked hard at the scrum while his ball carries put Australia A on the front foot. He scored within the first four minutes in their shutout win, while he also got on the board in game one.
Sliding: Josh Nasser
Coming off the bench in a losing clash at Eden Park, Nasser held his own but struggled to make an impact before a wayward lineout throw in Sydney proved costly with the All Blacks scoring through Rieko Ioane moments later. He'll be under pressure in the UK to make the most from his bench spot.
Maintaining: Brandon Paenga-Amosa
Hitting 10 from 10 targets in Bledisloe I, BPA was solid once again at set-piece, and was one of the side's leading tacklers. While he had a number of carries, he struggled to bend or break the line on a night the forward pack was muscled around the pitch. He was rested for Bledisloe II, but will be expected to play big minutes through the Nations Championship and is looking more and more comfortable as the Wallabies starting hooker.
Tighthead prop
Starter: Allan Alaalatoa
Next in line: Taniela Tupou, Zane Nonggorr, Massimo De Lutiis, Henry Robertson
Rising: Zane Nonggorr
Battling through several injuries that have hindered his international season, Nonggorr made a successful return for Australia A in the USA playing a vital role in both victories. He was physically dominant in game one, out-muscling his counter parts and was spotted everywhere across the park with rampaging carries and hammering hits in defence.
Sliding: Massimo De Lutiis
Perhaps harsh given close to the whole Wallabies forward pack struggled against the All Blacks, but his appearances off the bench proved he still has plenty to learn to match it with the best at international level. The final four games of the year in the UK will be a firm test for the 22-year-old, whenever it is that he gets his opportunity.
Maintaining: Allan Alaalatoa
Solid in the opening Bledisloe, Alaalatoa would have wanted to make more of an impact in the second but with just one scrum inside the first half he was forced to put in more work across the park. His defence was solid, earning high numbers across both Tests, but his carries failed to make a mark.
Locks
Starters: Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams
Next in line: Lukhan-Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton [injured], Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Matt Philip [injured]
Rising: Miles Amatosero
Making the most of his time in the USA, Amatosero was at his hard ball-carrying best, muscling up against the USA and bending the defensive line with ease. Losing his place in the Wallabies squad thanks to a red card against Japan, he's earned his place in the group for the UK tour and will be busting down the door for a Test recall through the four-Test tour.
Sliding: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Given a rare start across the Bledisloe series Salakaia-Loto failed to make the No. 5 jersey his own in the absence of Canham. While physically dominant early in Bledisloe I he quietly fell away and was simply bettered by his All Blacks opponents in the contact and carry. He was largely quiet once again in Sydney with Williams carrying much of the load at the lineout.
Maintaining: Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams
Overshadowed by Josh Canham's breakout season in Wallabies gold earlier this Test season, Williams has continued to quietly work across the park with his impressive performance at set-piece shining through despite the Wallabies wobbles against the All Blacks. He made an impressive steal in game one, alongside a pilfer, but his discipline is a work on, conceding three penalties at Eden Park before he was handed a yellow card in Sydney. Canham, meanwhile, didn't make his usual impact in Sydney after coming off the bench in his return from injury, but he remains one of the side's best at set-piece.
Openside flanker
Starter: Fraser McReight
Next in line: Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Kane Koteka
Rising: Fraser McReight
It's hard to imagine Fraser McReight could rise any higher given his performances earlier this year but after claiming his first John Eales Medal ahead of the Wallabies' UK tour, it's clear the 27-year-old is not going to be budged from his starting No. 7 jersey. He was one of the Wallabies' best in a losing Bledisloe Cup series and his work rate remains one of the best in world rugby.
Blindside flanker & No.8
Starters: Harry Wilson, Rob Valetini
Next in line: Tom Hooper, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Langi Gleeson [injured], Pete Samu, Charlie Cale [injured], Joe Brial, Toby Macpherson
Rising: Joe Brial
Pushing for a wider squad callup, Brial did his chances no harm with two strong performances for Australia A in the USA. He was nimble on his feet and had impressive hands picking up a loose ball to run away and score in the first game, while he carried for over 100 metres. He was just as dominant in New Jersey with 13 carries and four line breaks.
Maintaining: Harry Wilson
Continuing to maintain his 'Captain Courageous' title, Wilson was once again one of Australia's best despite their humbling Bledisloe Cup defeats. A leader in defence, he made close to 30 tackles at Eden Park, was a try scorer and a lineout option, while he was labelled the "best No. 8 in the world right now" by Justin Marshall following his performance in New Zealand. While he struggled to replicate the same numbers in Sydney, he's once again firmly cemented his place as captain and No. 8.
Halfback
Starter: Ryan Lonergan
Next in line: Tate McDermott, Jake Gordon [injured], Kalani Thomas, Teddy Wilson, Henry Robertson
Rising: Kalani Thomas
Rusty off the bench in Sydney, Thomas didn't standout in his few minutes against a rampaging All Blacks, but looked much more comfortable for Aus A in the USA. His performance in New Jersey will keep him firmly in the Wallabies frame after he scored and led the pack around the park with aplomb. A late call-up for the UK tour puts him in the frame for some important minutes to finish the year.
Sliding: Tate McDermott
Returning from a horrid hamstring injury earlier this year, it's clear McDermott is still struggling to return to his previous form. His characteristic sniping around the ruck remains absent and his quick, accurate passing continues to elude him. Coming off the bench in Eden Park the scrum-half struggled to give the team any clear direction and was caught out several times searching for hands to offload to. He was eventually dropped from the second Test and while he is on the spring tour, both Kalani Thomas and Teddy Wilson will look to make the most of their opportunities, with Jake Gordon also pushing for his return in 2027.
Maintaining: Ryan Lonergan
Lonergan remains Australia's best halfback, but there will be several moments from the Bledisloe series he'll want to take back. An uncharacteristic missed penalty shot from 30 metres out, directly in front, at Eden Park was an opportunity spurned at a time the game remained on a precipice, while he was easily beaten in defence by Wallace Sititi in Sydney. His reliable kicking game and quick pass off the deck keep him heads and shoulders above the rest, though.
Fly-half
Starter: Carter Gordon
Next in line: Ben Donaldson, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Tane Edmed, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh [injured],James O'Connor, Bernard Foley
Rising: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Elevated to the bench in the absence of Ben Donaldson for the Bledisloe II, McLaughlin-Philips was given just seven minutes to make an impact in a game that was already run and done, but his presence for Australia A will have many thinking of his potential for the Wallabies over the next 12 months. Fly-half remains one of the Wallabies' most precarious positions with the constant shuffling through injury and HMP's player of the match performance in New Jersey has certainly pushed his claims well above Tane Edmed. Declan Meredith, meanwhile, looked better against the All Blacks in Sydney, but was messy off the bench at Eden Park.
Sliding: Tom Lynagh
Tom Lynagh's latest injury that ruled him out of the Australia A tour has closed the door on his return to the Wallabies squad for the remainder of the year and added further doubt to his long-term international prospects. A World Cup appearance at home seems increasingly unlikely by the day.
Maintaining: Ben Donaldson
Rocks and diamonds is perhaps the best way to describe Ben Donaldson in his third consecutive start at No. 10. While he continues to do a lot of things right for the Wallabies, he often undoes it all with some poor errors. A lovely tip pass to keep play alive and eventually set Tom Wright up for the opener at Eden Park the perfect example of the heads-up play Donaldson can produce, but it all came undone minutes later when he took the low play option, kicking to the blindside off the back of a midfield scrum and sending the ball out on the full; a perfect attacking position was squandered. Injured in the buildup to Bledisloe II, he'll be pushing to retain the No. 10 jersey with Carter Gordon returning.
Centres
Starters: Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami
Next in line: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii [utility], Isaac Henry, Zac Lomax, Angus Crichton, Jordan Petaia [utility], Josh Flook (achilles injury), Kadin Pritchard
Rising: Zac Lomax
Making his first appearance in senior Australian colours, Lomax hardly had a misstep in Aus A's win in New Jersey. Sliding into centre, he didn't look out of place -- although several will question why he wasn't given a chance on the edge -- with his running game setting up several Australia tries and his defence just as good including a try-saving-tackle. His dominance in the air will be something Kiss will be desperate to replicate in the Wallabies lineup.
Sliding: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Sliding into the centres through the absence of Hunter Paisami, Suaalii was quiet once again across both Bledisloe Cup Tests. While he managed get plenty of ball, he struggled to make an impact with his carries, not making a single linebreak, while his defence was found wanting at Eden Park, missing the most tackles on the park. One of the best in the air, his placement at centre all but nulifies his greatest strength.
Maintaining: Len Ikitau
Ikitau played less than 30 minutes at Eden Park before he came from the pitch limping, but in his few minutes he remained as threatening as ever pushing through several kicks for his support players to chase down, with several carries and five tackles. The Wallabies are a completely different outfit without Ikitau on the pitch.
Wing
Starters: Max Jorgensen [utility], Mark Nawaqanitawase
Next in line: Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii [utility], Filipo Daugunu, Harry Potter, Corey Toole, Jordan Petaia [utility], Zac Lomax, Treyvon Pritchard
Rising: Dylan Pietsch
Suffering an untimely foot injury to start the Test season, Pietsch has battled to earn his place back in the Wallabies squad and will be scratching his head as to what more he needs to do, after he was overlooked for the UK tour for Kurtley Beale despite two impressive outings for Aus A. While Kiss has a luxury of options in the back three, Pietsch's try-scoring performance in Nashville and dominant showing in New Jersey will have him banging down the coach's door soon.
Sliding: Harry Potter
Despite maintaining his place in the Wallabies 23, Potter hardly made a mark through the Bledisloe Cup series. His defence was leaky and his edge was often overlooked instead the play mostly going down Jorgensen's wing in Sydney. While he works hard to get into the game, he can be too loose and doesn't dominate the high-ball contest.
Maintaining: Max Jorgensen
One of the few standout performers across the Bledisloe series, Jorgensen continues to prove he's one of the world's best edge players. He worked hard to make his mark in a losing Bledisloe series, creating several electric moments that the side failed to capitalise on. He was by no means perfect though, with several errors in Sydney opening the door to the All Blacks' blowout.
Fullback
Starter: Tom Wright
Next in line: Jock Campbell, Max Jorgensen [utility], Ben Donaldson [utility], Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii [utility], Kurtley Beale [utility], Jordan Petaia [utility], James Ramm
Rising: Kurtley Beale
No, he hasn't played yet, but a shock callup for the final four Tests of the year suddenly has Beale in World Cup frame, two years since his last Wallabies squad recall in 2024 (before he ruptured his Achilles) and five years since his most recent appearance in gold in Cardiff. While he's been slatted as a backup playmaker, he'll also be putting plenty of pressure on Wright and back three reserves for a bench spot.
Maintaining: Tom Wright
Tom Wright remains one of the Wallabies' biggest enigmas; one of the world's best with cutting runs and unbelievable heads-up plays, but also loose and sometimes messy with a defence that gets leaky. He proved it once again across the Bledisloe scoring an electric try at Eden Park as he split four defenders, while he also linked with Jorgensen in the second half to produce a scoring opportunity that was later squandered. But he can be erratic with his errors usually costly.