In a gripping, physically demanding test match in Osaka on Saturday, Australia’s national rugby union team, the Wallabies, secured a nail-biting 35-32 victory over Japan, delivering a winning start for newly appointed head coach Les Kiss. The result was far from straightforward, however: Australia was reduced to 14 players before halftime after lock Miles Amatosero received a red card, forcing the side to fight through extra pressure, sweltering conditions and a late Japanese fightback to claim the win.
Kiss stepped into the Wallabies’ top coaching role last month, taking over from Joe Schmidt after a mixed opening phase of the Nations Championship, where Australia finished with a 1-2 record – picking up a victory over Italy following back-to-back losses to Ireland and France. For the opening match of this two-test series against Japan, Kiss made several notable selection calls: he named just one uncapped player, center Isaac Henry, recalled experienced Queensland Reds forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and opted to leave veteran prop James Slipper out of the matchday squad.
Throughout the 80 minutes, temperatures at the Osaka venue hovered near 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), adding an extra layer of fatigue for both sides. The game’s turning point came in the 32nd minute, when Amatosero was penalized for a dangerous cleanout on Japan captain Warner Dearns. Referees initially issued a yellow card, but upgraded the sanction to a red following a bunker review just before halftime, with the two sides locked at 14-all at the break.
Down a player for the entire second half, Australia still managed to stretch its lead early after the break, with tries from Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight pushing the Wallabies’ advantage to nine points. But Japan fought back methodically, cutting the deficit with two well-taken penalties from fly-half Takuro Matsunaga.
The difference in the final 20 minutes proved to be Australia’s depth off the bench, as the Wallabies’ replacements maintained intense pressure on the Japanese defense. With 10 minutes remaining, prop Taniela Tupou crashed over the try line to extend Australia’s lead back to 10 points, appearing to put the game out of reach.
Japan, however, had one final push left. Dearns, the host nation’s captain who was on the receiving end of Amatosero’s controversial foul earlier in the match, crossed for a late try to cut the gap back to just three points. Despite the frantic final minutes, Australia held firm to defend its narrow lead and close out the win.
Saturday’s match also pitted Kiss against Japan head coach Eddie Jones, a former Wallabies coach who is currently serving his second stint in charge of the Japanese national side. The two teams will meet again next weekend in the second test of the series.