Les Kiss made his first appearance as Australia’s rugby coach on Saturday night, leading the Wallabies to a 32-35 victory over Japan in Osaka. The win marked a significant moment for Kiss, who took over the role with just two weeks of preparation time and faces the challenge of rebuilding a team currently ranked No. 8 that aims to win next year’s World Cup.
The match proved difficult for Australia, who played in challenging conditions and operated at a disadvantage after Miles Amotosero received a red card in the first half. Despite the setback, Kiss’s side managed to secure victory through effective use of substitutes, bringing fresh players including Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Tate McDermott, and Charlie Cale off the bench to shift momentum in the final stages.
Kiss identified several areas requiring immediate attention, particularly at the fly-half position. Declan Meredith, who had started against France and Italy in recent matches, made multiple errors that impacted Australia’s performance. Kiss indicated the position needs to be reevaluated, with Carter Gordon, the coach’s former playmaker at the Reds, expected to return for the rematch in Townsville next week.
The victory comes after a difficult period for Australian rugby. The team lost all four Tests on a European tour earlier in the year and suffered home defeats to Ireland and France, marking a stark contrast to their previous form. Kiss inherits a squad with significant talent but one that has struggled with consistency, combining periods of brilliant play with critical mistakes.
The coach now prepares for a return fixture in Townsville next week, where he will have the opportunity to establish his vision before home supporters and demonstrate progress toward the long-term goal of World Cup success.
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