Wallabies defy Osaka red, scramble for Kiss debut win

By Murray Wenzel 

The Wallabies could have wilted in an Osaka sweatbox but captain Harry Wilson was thrilled they found a way to ensure new coach Les Kiss began a winner.

And the backrower praised his coach for a crucial halftime intervention when, down a man thanks to a 20-minute red card to lock Miles Amatosero, it appeared Japan were set to notch a historic first win over the Wallabies.

In high humidity and with temperatures pushing 30 degrees they went toe-to-toe with Eddie Jones’ side, a late Taniela Tupou try enough for a 35-32 win despite plenty of nervous moments.

“Once we had the red, we knew we were under the pump and got a bit lucky that it was halftime,” Wilson said.

“The coaches gave us a good plan of how to play with the red card for the next 11 minutes, and when we got that second lock back we had that confidence. But in saying that, they just didn’t go away, they were on us all game.”

Amatosero is facing weeks on the sideline after making high contact in a clean-out on Japan captain Warner Dearns.

Up 14-7 and within range of scoring again, the Wallabies were instead down a man and then level at halftime.

The visitors never had it on their terms but, thanks to some brilliant moments and another strong game from lock Josh Canham, they escaped ahead of a rematch in Townsville next Saturday.

After six straight losses it was the Wallabies’ second consecutive win, but far less fluent than what they produced against Italy in Perth in Joe Schmidt’s farewell last month.

“To get a win here in these conditions, we’re happy but there’s areas to improve next week,” Wilson said.

“That’s the beauty of a two-game series, to get to go to battle again.

“We’ll have a few areas to review very accurately and make sure we can fix for next week.”