AS IT HAPPENED: Powerful second half delivers Wallabies dominant Japan win to celebrate milestone in style

Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 6:53 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

RECAP: The Wallabies have powered their way home for a dominant victory, defeating Japan 56-17 in Townsville.

On a day where prop Massimo De Lutiis became Wallaby #1000, the forwards scored every single try as they blew out the Brave Blossoms in the second half.

Watch every second of the Wallabies' Tests against Japan live and on demand via Stan Sport.

This included the debutant as the Wallabies piled on 42 unanswered points, keeping Japan scoreless in the second half.

Taniela Tupou crossed for a double, with Angus Bell and Josh Nasser also getting over, just the second time in Wallabies history the entire front-row have scored in a game.

The hosts dominated the breakdown, led by a trio of turnovers for Carlo Tizzano, whilst centre Isaac Henry was superb on his debut start.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE

81': BPA seals it

Wallabies 56-17: Brandon Paenga-Amosa makes it the fifth different front-rower to score to cap off the big win.

BPA dives over from close, right next to the posts as the half century comes up.

79': McReight drops it over the line

Wallabies 49-17: Fraser McReight almost finishes off a sensational phase of play that starts with Ben Donaldson putting the flanker into space, who finds Filipo Daugunu.

Daugunu is dragged down and McReight has the ball over the line, but drops it cold.

75': Wilson over as Japan woes further

Wallabies 49-17: Harry Wilson continues the forward love as the number eight slams it down.

It goes from bad to worse for Japan, Mamoru Harada off for the rest of the game after too many penalties inside the Wallabies 22.

73': Cale ices it

Wallabies 42-17: Charlie Cale ices the game at the back of a powerful scrum.

The Wallabies march through their scrum, leaving Cale with the ball at his feet with a clear path ahead.

72': Potter hit causes problems

Wallabies 35-17: Harry Potter comes up with a belter to dislodge the ball on Japan's line, but he's left in pain on the ground.

He appears to have dislocated his finger, with the winger fighting through the pain with no subs left.

70': Japan chance blown

Wallabies 35-17: Dylan Riley tries to will Japan back into the contest as he wins back a deft chip from their 22.

But in the story of the game, the Wallabies nab the ruck turnover, this time Fraser McReight fresh in the field.

68': Wallabies cough it up

Wallabies 35-17: Japan muscle up in defence to keep in the contest.

The Aussies are fighting for the game-sealer, with Carlo Tizzano dropping the ball.

Fraser McReight is on for Lachie Shaw, with Harry Wilson in at second row.

66': Wallabies dominating ruck

Wallabies 35-17: The Wallabies are dominant at ruck time, winning constant turnovers.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is the latest to win the penalty, as the Aussies search for another, with Tate McDermott just unable to ground it after a Jeremy Williams break.

61': Jorgensen down hurt

Wallabies 35-17: Concern for the hosts as Max Jorgensen is down injured with a rib issue, eventually replaced by Filipo Daugunu.

Jorgensen took a shot in the background after getting cleaned out, but he's back on his feet as Japan kick to the hosts' 22.

Carlo Tizzano nabs his third turnover of the game, punishing Japan at ruck time.

59': Big Mass with the debut try

Wallabies 35-17: What a debut for Massimo De Lutiis as the prop dives over for his debut try.

Carter Gordon creates the chance after a brilliant run, with the tighthead barging over for the five pointer.

It's Gordon's last involvement, with the Wallabies swapping their halves as Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott come on.

57': Changes continue for Aussies

Wallabies 28-17: More changes for the Aussies as Aidan Ross comes on for Angus Bell.

53': Hockings almost inspires Japan

Wallabies 28-17: Harry Hockings creates something out of nothing, winning the restart back to spark the attack.

Jeremy Williams does well to nab the penalty at ruck-time three phases later, followed by Carlo Tizzano's second turnover of the afternoon.

51': Bell with the deja vu

Wallabies 28-17: Angus Bell repeats his effort from last year as the Wallabies extend their lead.

The Aussies bash over again from short, with Bell completing the hat-trick for the starting front-row.

47': Enter Wallaby #1000

Wallabies 21-17: Massimo De Lutiis is offically Wallaby #1000 after replacing Taniela Tupou.

Jeremy Williams also replaces Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, with the Wallabies winning a penalty to kick inside Japan's 10 metres.

43': Jorgensen sparks Aussies

Wallabies 21-17: Stellar work from Max Jorgensen produces something out of nothing as he wins the high ball back and sprints away.

Jorgensen is just ankle tapped as he approaches the Japanese 22, with their attack undone by a neck roll 15 metres out.

HT: One change for Wallabies

Wallabies 21-17: Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been activated, replacing try-scorer Josh Nasser.

No sign of Massimo De Lutiis, who will likely come on early in the second half.

HALF TIME: WALLABIES 21 - 17 JAPAN
38': Two-pu

Wallabies 21-17: Taniela Tupou nabs his second after another bowling ball-style run.

The prop is just too strong close to the line, skittling the defenders away for the lead.

33': No stopping Japan this time

Japan 17-14: Dylan Riley bashes his way over the line as the centre gives Japan the lead.

Dominant carries from the visitors has the Wallabies scrambling, with Riley stretching out over the line.

31': Japan held up

Wallabies 14-12: Excellent work from Max Jorgensen somehow denies Japan the try after getting himself under the ball.

They just do enough to stop the ball getting done as the visitors are finding momentum.

29': Set piece beauty denied

Wallabies 14-12: A peach of a set play try for Ryan Lonergan is denied after a forward pass from Hunter Paisami.

Paisami puts Isaac Henry through a hole with a ball that's about a metre forward, with Henry drawing the fullback for Lonergan, who deserves the try simply for the swan-dive alone.

25': Saito catches Aussies napping

Wallabies 14-12: Naoto Saito catches the Aussies slow to react and the scrumhalf crashes over.

The hosts are pinged at ruck time and the scrumhalf goes quick with the tap, diving over under the posts.

21': Tizzano comes up top

Wallabies 14-5: Carlo Tizzano gets over the ball and haults a promising Japanese attack.

It comes after a nice scrum play gains close to 50 metres, putting the visitors in prime position.

The Wallabies are causing serious pressure on the Japanese ball with a number of steals.

19': Nela nearly stuns with grubber

Wallabies 14-5: Taniela Tupou produces a ridiculous grubber after the Wallabies win back a high ball on halfway.

But it's all for nothing; referee Paul Williams pulls it up for a knock-on in the contest.

17': Too big, too strong for Nela

Wallabies 14-5: A powerful series of carries is ended with a barnstorming five-pointer from Taniela Tupou.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Angus Bell delivered some belters to get well over the advantage line, allowing the tight-head to make it back-to-back tries.

15': Australia searching for response

Wallabies 7-5: The Aussies are starting to build pressure on the Japanese line, winning themselves a goal-line dropout.

A smart kick from Carter Gordon forces a hurried clearing kick that gives Australia the lineout throw on Japan's 22.

Josh Nasser is getting some attention on his knee, but will play on.

12': Hockings responds for Japan

Wallabies 7-5: Harry Hockings scores on his return to Queensland after a smart chargedown.

He reads Ryan Lonergan perfectly, charging down Lonergan on his line and diving on the ball.

10': Japan building pressure

Wallabies 7-0: The Japanese are looking to play quickly after going fast from the lineout.

A kick in-behind ends their attack for now, ending in a goal-line dropout.

A smart grubber nearly delivers the goods, with Ryan Lonergan desperately diving on the ball to save the play.

6': Nasser with the opener

Wallabies 7-0: Excellent work from the Aussies as Josh Nasser burrows over for the opener.

It starts off a break from Isaac Henry after a dominant scrum, leaving Japan shot for numbers.

The Aussies spread it wide and find Max Jorgensen and whilst the winger is brought down a metre short, Nasser is there to burrow over.

3': Wallabies handle early pressure

The Wallabies have dealt with Japan's early attack to force an error.

Max Jorgensen races up and causes the mistake after Japan win the kicking battle and attack inside the hosts' half.

KICK OFF

Carter Gordon launches the ball long and this game is underway!

An excellent clearing kick from Naoto Saito flips the field for Japan, putting it close to the Aussie 22.

WALLABIES 56

Tries: Nasser, Tupou 2, Bell, De Lutiis, Cale, Wilson, Paenga-Amosa

Cons: Lonergan 5/5, Donaldson 3/3

Pens:

JAPAN 17

Tries: Hockings, Saito, Riley

Cons: Matsunaga 1/3

Pens:


PRE GAME
KO T-2 MIN: Anthems done

Both anthems are in the book and we're almost ready to go!

The Wallabies are wearing black armbands to honour the great Brian Smith, who passed away during the week.

KO T-15 MIN: Warm-ups done

The team have headed up the tunnel after completing their warm-ups.

There's still fans streaming into the ground, with the gold growing by the minute.

KO T-30 MIN: Crowd slowly building

A solid amount of gold in the stands as the crowd builds at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

It doesn't look likely it'll be a sellout, but likely close to the 20k crowd last year against Argentina.

KO T-60 MIN: Both teams unchanged

Both teams will run out as named on Thursday, slowly making their way on field for the warm ups.

The coin toss has been completed and Australia will be running right to left on your screens, receiving.

WELCOME

Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallabies' clash with Japan in Townsville.

Conditions in North Queensland have been perfect all weekend, and today is no different, aside from some cloud cover that's keeping it cooler.

A lot of gold in the streets as you walk around, with a solid crowd expected for the contest.


WALLABIES v JAPAN TEAMS

WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Charlie Cale, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu

JAPAN (15-1): Takuro Matsunaga; Yoshitaka Yazaki, Dylan Riley, Shunsuke Uenobo, Haruto Kida; Ryunosuke Ito, Naoto Saito; Faulua Makisi, Tiennan Costley, Ben Gunter; Warner Dearns (capt), Harry Hockings; Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Takato Okabe

Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Sojiro Otsuka, Izi Sword, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Itsuki Kamimura, Samisoni Tua, Kazuma Ueda

Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey (NZR) & Marcus Playle (NZR)

TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)

FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v JAPAN IN AUSTRALIA

The Wallabies' clash with Japan will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.

Coverage will be live on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 2:30 pm AEST.

The game will also be shown on free-to-air, set to begin at 3:00 pm.

Share
‘I might take him a pizza’: Tupou, front-row force saluted as Wallabies laud unique try-scoring feat
Wallabies crack fifty over Brave Blossoms after dominant second half in Townsville
From #1 to #1000: Massimo De Lutiis and the golden thread of the Wallabies
Kiss searching for direct response as Wallabies shuffle side for Japan Test