Overview
- Australia beat Japan 56-17 in Townsville on Saturday, scoring seven tries and turning a 21-17 half-time margin into a 35-point second-half surge.
- Massimo De Lutiis came off the bench to score on debut and became the 1,000th capped Wallaby, one of several forwards who powered the win.
- Les Kiss has won three Tests in a row since taking charge, and his selection changes — including Carter Gordon’s return at fly-half and several rested senior forwards — were rewarded.
- Japan showed continued progress under Eddie Jones with 21-year-old Ryunosuke Ito starting at fly-half, but the Brave Blossoms remain without a Test win over Australia.
- The result strengthens Australia's squad depth and finishing strategy, highlights the utility of impact players such as Tate McDermott, and provides momentum before a two-Test tour of Argentina and next year’s home World Cup.