Wallabies survive first-half scare to demolish Eddie’s Japan
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The Wallabies have made it three in a row for the first time since 2024, after putting away Eddie Jones’ Japan 56-17 in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.
After being pushed for much of the first half, the Wallabies turned a 21-17 half-time lead into a comprehensive drubbing against the world’s No.12-ranked side.
Wallaby 1000 Massimo De Lutiis celebrates after scoring on debut against Japan. Getty Images
The second-half clinic was set up by some superb work at the breakdown, where Carlo Tizzano and replacements Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Fraser McReight had a field day at the ruck and were rightly well rewarded by referee Paul Williams.
“We went through the front door, we were physical, we had a lot more spark, and we were getting off the deck quicker and putting ourselves in better positions than the first half,” captain Harry Wilson told Stan Sport, after being asked what the key to the second-half demolition was.
Extraordinarily, all eight tries were scored by the Wallabies’ forwards.
Damaging prop Taniela Tupou scored a first-half double while Josh Nasser, Angus Bell, the Wallabies’ 1000th player Massimo De Lutiis, Charlie Cale, Harry Wilson and Brandon Paenga-Amosa also got on the scoresheet. Halfback Ryan Lonergan (five conversions) and Ben Donaldson (three) were also faultless from the kicking tee.
The win was the second straight for new coach Les Kiss since taking over from Joe Schmidt.
But sterner tests lay ahead for the Wallabies, with a two-week tour of Argentina coming up, before the men in gold return to take on the Springboks and All Blacks twice.
The massive win more than repaid the faith shown from Kiss, who overhauled his side after last week’s hard-fought win in Osaka and tested his wider squad.
The decision worked a treat, with Carter Gordon pulling the strings nicely, Isaac Henry showing his quality in the midfield and the forward pack going to town on Japan, especially at the breakdown where Tizzano particularly played his part in thwarting the Brave Blossoms’ efforts despite rookie playmaker Ryunosuke Ito once again showing that he’s a player for the future.
“I’m really pleased with the effort,” Kiss said.
“In the first half [we] were probably a little bit off the beat, but the second half they really put it on the table in the right way. Really managed field position better, no tries, no points which I think is a real good turn up for us and, of course, Massimo getting that debut was really special.”
Kiss will, however, be sweating over the fitness of star winger Max Jorgensen, who was forced off late in the second half with what appeared to be a rib injury.
Taniela Tupou of the Wallabies is tackled by Warner Dearns of Japan. Getty Images
The Wallabies next meet Los Pumas in Argentina on August 30 (AEST).
Earlier, the Wallabies scored first after dominating the Japanese at the scrum. Playing under advantage, Isaac Henry went straight over the gain and it wasn’t long before the Wallabies swung it back to the open side and freed up Max Jorgensen, where the winger was pulled down just short of the line and allowed Josh Nasser to crash over.
But just like last week’s seesawing affair, a couple of poor kicks from Ryan Lonergan allowed Japan to score as former Queensland Reds big man Harry Hockings stuck his arms up to stop the No.9’s clearing kick and then reached out to score.
Some smart rugby from Carter Gordon to turn Japan around then saw the Wallabies earn some territory. From the lineout, Henry went straight through the Japanese defence to once again put the home side on the front foot. Moments later, Tupou – the human fridge – had his first try and the Wallabies led 14-5 after 16 minutes.
Japan, however, wouldn’t go away and Hockings was once again in the thick of it as the towering lock made a clean steal at the breakdown on the Wallabies’ 22 metre line. It wasn’t long after that Japan had their second try as halfback Naoto Saito found some space and a passive defensive line and pinned the ears back to score.
The Wallabies looked like they had immediately hit back through Lonergan, but TMO Glenn Newman correctly jumped in after spotting a forward pass from Hunter Paisami to Henry in the 29th minute.
The Wallabies then saved a try themselves as Jorgensen and Paisami denied the Japanese from scoring after getting easily over the gain line.
But their resistance didn’t last long as Australian-born centre Dylan Riley scored out wide despite a hint of a knock-on in the lead up to the try to hand the Japanese a 17-14 lead.
The Wallabies managed to take a 21-17 lead though when Tupou crashed over from close range to score his second try of the first half.
The home side started with a bang after Max Jorgensen soared high from a box kick and then set off, but the Wallabies’ efforts to extend their lead broke down.
It wasn’t long, however, before they scored again though as Angus Bell scored under the sticks. It came moments after Massimo De Lutiis replaced Tupou to become Wallaby 1000.
The milestone man then scored in the 58th minute, after Carter Gordon was pulled down just four metres short of the tryline. Lonergan’s conversion saw the Wallabies extend their lead out to 35-17.
Earlier, the Wallabies scored first after dominating the Japanese at the scrum. Playing under advantage, Isaac Henry went straight over the gain and it wasn’t long before the Wallabies swung it back to the open side and freed up Max Jorgensen, where the winger was pulled down just short of the line and allowed Josh Nasser to crash over.
But just like last week’s seesawing affair, a couple of poor kicks from Ryan Lonergan allowed Japan to score as former Queensland Reds big man Harry Hockings stuck his arms up to stop the No.9’s clearing kick and then reached out to score.
Some smart rugby from Carter Gordon to turn Japan around then saw the Wallabies earn some territory. From the lineout, Henry went straight through the Japanese defence to once again put the home side on the front foot. Moments later, Tupou – the human fridge – had his first try and the Wallabies led 14-5 after 16 minutes.
Japan, however, wouldn’t go away and Hockings was once again in the thick of it as the towering lock made a clean steal at the breakdown on the Wallabies’ 22 metre line. It wasn’t long after that Japan had their second try as halfback Naoto Saito found some space and a passive defensive line and pinned the ears back to score.
The Wallabies looked like they had immediately hit back through Lonergan, but TMO Glen Newman correctly jumped in after spotting a forward pass from Hunter Paisami to Henry in the 29th minute.
The Wallabies then saved a try themselves as Jorgensen and Paisami denied the Japanese from scoring after getting easily over the gain line.
But their resistance didn’t last long as Australian-born centre Dylan Riley scored out wide despite a hint of a knock-on in the lead up to the try to hand the Japanese a 17-14 lead.
The Wallabies managed to take a 21-17 lead though when Tupou crashed over from close range to score his second try of the first half.
The home side started with a bang after Max Jorgensen soared high from a box kick and then set off, but the Wallabies’ efforts to extend their lead broke down.
Isaac Henry was impressive on his starting debut for the Wallabies. Getty Images
It wasn’t long, however, before they scored again though as Angus Bell scored under the sticks. It came moments after Massimo De Lutiis replaced Tupou to become Wallaby 1000.
The milestone man then scored in the 58th minute, after Carter Gordon was pulled down just four metres short of the tryline. Lonergan’s conversion saw the Wallabies extend their lead out to 35-17.
While Japan didn’t go away, the Wallabies had an answer for every shot they were thrown as Tizzano went to town on the visitors’ breakdown. He was then assisted by Paenga-Amosa and Fraser McReight, who each won turnovers.
The Wallabies then scored three tries in the final 10 minutes to register 50 points for the second time in three Tests as Cale, Wilson and Paenga-Amosa scored.
