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Australia A battled back from a poor start to overcome a near Test strength Japan XV in the opening match of their three game series in Tokyo.
The discipline issues that have dogged Dave Rennie’s Wallabies team were evident in the A team as well from the start, with basic errors and penalty infringements causing Jason Gilmore’s selection grief. But the tourists were much improved in the second half, overcoming an eight point deficit after 45 minutes to win 34-22, scoring four tries to two.
The Wallabies 23 featured nine capped Wallabies – but their best were those yet to wear the Test jersey. No.8 Langi Gleeson continued his rise – Stan commentator Morgan Turinuri declaring he “looks made for international rugby” – while Ben Donaldson grew into the game at flyhalf. Donaldson’s Waratahs teammate Tane Edmed will get his shot to impress next Saturday in a position that’s proving problematic for Rennie.
Mark Nawaqanitawase grabbed a double off the bench and there was an encouraging performance from Jock Campbell at fullback, particularly with his coverage from the Japanese kicking.
It was a tight opening half shaded 9-6 by Japan as emerging flyhalf Hayata Nakao kicked all three of his penalties, including from 40 metres out as Hudson Creighton gave up the first penalty in the first minute, to two from Ryan Lonergan.
Donaldson, one of those who will be hoping to break into the full squad for the five European Tests starting later this month, was kicking long from the back but his attacking kicks didn’t have the requisite incision, although he rectified the issues in the second term.
Suliasi Vunivalu was struggling to get into the game in the first 40, but he too had more of an impact as the Australians improved dramatically after the break.
In the first half Vunivalu was short of impact, with the forgotten Test winger Filipo Daugunu much more involved than the former NRL star, who has been promised big minutes on the tour.
Australia started playing off nine and 10 and mixing it up in an attempt to stretch the Japanese defence, but they were becalmed by the same issues we’ve seen all year in the Test arena – a basic Ryan Lonergan knock on with Japan on the rack summing it up.
Gleeson stood out from the pack. He was a handful for the Japanese defence, popping two sharp passes to No.7 Ollie Callan for incisive bursts, and made a big tackle to deny Gerhard van den Heever a sniff of the line.
Japan’s legendary No.8 Michael Leitch was the outstanding player of the half from either side and his penalty win presented his flyhalf with the opportunity to kick the hosts to a slender halftime lead.
After an awkward mess of a first half – matched in the Stan Sport coverage with jarring audio issues throughout that exasperated everyone, including their own commentators – the second half was blessedly far more entertaining as the teams trusted their hands and passing, easing back on the kicking duels.
The hosts were over soon after the start with Japan’s 110kg winger Siosaia Fifita finishing off some excellent play to cross unmarked on the left.
Vunivalu responded soon after, coming to the left of the field from the right and injecting himself close to the tryline. He showed good strength to spin out of a tackle and plan the ball down for a try.
Both Gilmore and Japan coach Jamie Joseph went to their benches and it had a big impact on the game. Within 30 second replacement winger Kotaro Matsushima finished off an excellent move down the right.
But from there the Australians stepped to another level. Mark Nawaqanitawase grabbed a double off the bench, including a chase down of a deft Donaldson chip, while Rebels flanker Brad Wilkin grabbed another.