Following the Wallabies’ 35-32 victory over Japan in Osaka, here are our five takeaways from the first of two Tests between these two proud nations.
The Les Kiss era got off to a winning start as the Wallabies ground out a three-point win over Eddie Jones’ Japan in the first of two Tests between the two countries. Australia can thank the kicking accuracy of scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, who nailed four conversions – Ben Donaldson adding another.
The Wallabies scored five tries through Harry Potter and Tom Wright in the first half, which came in response to rising star Japanese number 10 Ryunosuke Ito scoring a stunning try in the 11th minute of the match.
Australia were dealt a hammer blow shortly before half-time as Miles Amatosero was sent to the sin bin for a nasty shoulder-to-head contact with opposing lock Warner Dearns. His sanction was upgraded to a 20-minute red card and Japan capitalised with the final points of the first half as Lua Makisi crashed over for a five-pointer and Takuro Matsunaga added the extras as the spoils were shared at 14-all at half-time.
Max Jorgensen drew first blood early in the second half for the visitors but Kazuma Ueda was quick to respond and the back-and-forth continued when Fraser McReight crossed for the Wallabies.
Matsunaga nailed two penalties before Taniela Tupou gave the Wallabies a 35-25 lead to defend in the final 10 minutes of the match. Dearns crossed with three minutes left on the clock to make it a three-point game, but Japan failed to hold onto the ball shortly after the restart as Australia got the Kiss era off to a winning start.
Wallabies played into Japan’s hands
It was a frantic fixture in Osaka as those who filed into the oldest rugby union stadium in Japan were treated to a high-paced, nail-biting and thrilling Test match.
Australia 35 Japan 32
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