Australia Beats Japan 56-17 as Debutant De Lutiis Scores in Townsville

Townsville, Australia —

Australia beat Japan 56-17 in a rugby union Test in Townsville on Saturday, pulling away in the second half after trailing at halftime, according to the Guardian and ABC Australia.

The result gave Australia its third straight win, the first time the Wallabies have managed that since 2024, ABC Australia reported. It follows a three-point win over Japan in Osaka the previous week and comes in coach Les Kiss's second match in charge of the team.

A Slow Start Turns Into a Rout

Japan led 17-14 late in the first half and the match was tied at three tries apiece after 40 minutes, according to ABC Australia. Australia went into the break ahead 21-17 after prop Taniela Tupou scored his second try of the day just before halftime, a score that started a run of 42 unanswered points for the hosts, ABC Australia reported.

The turning point came in the 50th minute, when prop Massimo De Lutiis, the 1,000th player to represent Australia in a Wallabies jersey, came off the bench with the score still close. Minutes later he scored a try that put Australia up by 18 points, according to ABC Australia and the Guardian.

"One thousand is awesome. But just to be a Wallaby in general is crazy to me. It's a dream come true," De Lutiis told the Nine Network after the match, according to ABC Australia. "When I scored, I was just over the moon. I couldn't believe it."

Six of Australia's tries on the day came from front-row forwards, ABC Australia reported. Tupou scored twice, and Angus Bell, hooker Josh Nasser and his replacement Brandon Paenga-Amosa also crossed for Australia, along with De Lutiis. Flanker Carlo Tizzano forced three turnovers, and flanker Fraser McReight added another after coming on late, according to ABC Australia.

Japan Fades Late, Kiss Praises Response

Japan, coached by Eddie Jones, kept pace with Australia through the first half but ran out of steam after the break, unable to match Australia's pressure at the breakdown and in the scrum, according to the Guardian.

Australia captain Harry Wilson said the team responded to a halftime message from Kiss. "We got challenged by Les at half-time," Wilson told the Nine Network, according to ABC Australia. "A team like Japan, if you're not up for it, they really make you pay. I was really proud of the group in the second half. We stepped it up and put on a great performance."

Flyhalf Carter Gordon, back in the starting lineup, and center Isaac Henry, making his first Test start at that position, both drew praise for their performances, according to the Guardian. Australia next travels to Argentina for a two-match tour beginning in two weeks, to be followed by a Test against South Africa and two Bledisloe Cup matches against New Zealand, according to ABC Australia.