AS IT HAPPENED: Wallabies hold on for tight win over Japan
- 198
RECAP: The Wallabies have dug deep for a 35-32 win over Japan in Osaka.
The visitors were down to 14 for the start of the second half after Miles Amatosero was red carded for a dangerous cleanout.
But the Wallabies rallied after the break, just doing enough to hold out Japan's last flourish.
The match is Les Kiss' first in charge of the Australians, taking over from departing boss Joe Schmidt.
Wallabies 35-32: The Wallabies find a way home.
Australia come up with the game-winning turnover thanks to Taniela Tupou's hit and the visitors bomb it into touch for the win.
Wallabies 35-32: Japan have given themselves a chance late after Warner Dearns bashes his way over from close.
It takes some time from the referee but the try is eventually given, reducing the lead to three.
Wallabies 35-25: A rare scrum penalty ignites Japan for a late comeback.
They win the penalty for an early push and are camped on Australia's line, searching for the try.
Another penalty for the Japanese as the Aussies are defending for their lives.
Wallabies 35-25: Trademark rip tackle from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii halts a dangerous attack from Japan.
He jolts it free and after a wild scramble inside their own in-goal, the Aussies are gifted a chance when Japan drop the resulting clearing kick.
Wallabies 35-25: Isaac Henry is officially Wallaby #999.
Henry replaces Tom Wright, who had shifted to the wing after Harry Potter's departure.
Wallabies 35-25: Taniela Tupou silences the crowd as the Aussies crash over from close.
The Wallabies back their forwards and create the chance for the tight-head prop to plant it down on the goal post.
Wallabies 28-25: The Wallabies are searching for a crucial try as they look to break down Japan's defence.
They get a vital penalty for not rolling away, allowing Declan Meredith to put the ball into the corner.
Wallabies 28-25: A golden chance goes begging as Hunter Paisami can't find his support.
Paisami and the Wallabies had the numbers, only for his pass to fly way forward as they enter the 22.
Wallabies 28-25: The Wallabies are in serious control at scrum time, twice winning penalties inside Japan's 22.
But a silly decision to quick tap the ball burns them, giving Japan the chance to win the turnover.
Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson all coming on the field, with Harry Potter off, potentially injured after looking ginger before the water break.
Wallabies 28-25: Pressure from Harry Potter nearly creates the response for the visitors, with Japan dropping the kick-off.
Chaos follows as both teams knock it on, with an initial call of an Australian error reversed after a prior Japanese mistake.
Wallabies 28-25: Japan keep eating into the Australians' lead as Takuro Matsunaga nails another three-pointer.
This one is far easier, coming from right in front, 15 metres out for the Aussies not rolling away at ruck time.
Wallabies 28-22: Japan eat into Australia's lead via the boot of Takuro Matsunaga
The Aussies are pinged for hands in the ruck, allowing Matsunaga to reduce the lead with a shot from 40 metres out.
The call is an interesting one, allowing Jeremy Williams onto the field and the Aussies back to full numbers, with Taniela Tupou and Billy Pollard also on.
Wallabies 28-19: Fraser McReight comes up clutch with a try from close.
The Wallabies are put in prime field position after an excellent nudge from Declan Meredith from a penalty won from Angus Bell.
McReight does very well to hold onto the ball and find the line for a crucial two score lead.
Wallabies 21-19: Just like that, Japan hit back after a sharp run from Kazuma Ueda.
The winger blitzes the Wallabies as they're caught short, diving over for the try.
Wallabies 21-14: A crucial try for the Wallabies as Max Jorgensen touches down from close.
Sharp hands down the sideline from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Fraser McReight unleashes the wingers, with Harry Potter throwing it back inside for Declan Meredith.
Whilst Meredith is brought down close to the line, they can't stop Jorgensen from finding the turf.
14-all: Les Kiss has gone straight to his bench at half-time, bringing Angus Bell on for Aidan Ross.
14-all: A clutch turnover from Tom Wright saves the Wallabies from disaster after Warner Dearns breaks them open.
Dearns bursts through the gap, with the fullback excellently getting over the ball for the penalty.
Huge news for the Wallabies, Miles Amatosero has been red carded and will not take further part in this game. It's a 20-minute red card.
14-all: Japan have instantly cashed in on the numbers, with Faulua Makisi crashing over the line.
The visitors are caught napping at breakdown time, allowing Japan to slice through and the number eight to finish off amid a long numbers advantage.
Wallabies 14-7: Miles Amatosero is off for ten at least after a high cleanout on Warner Dearns.
The Aussies were on the attack but Amatosero flies in and collects the Japanese captain in the head as he falls to the ground. An unlucky incident but costly move from the enforcer.
Wallabies 14-7: The Wallabies are starting to find their feet in attack as Potter makes another break to go inside the 22.
A missed chance to draw and pace costs them five, but they'll go again after drawing the penalty for offside.
The first chance is halted illegally by Japan, going back to the rolling maul.
Wallabies 14-7: A pearler of a set play delivers a simple try in the end for Tom Wright.
The visitors draw the defence in and create the space out the back for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to find Wright, who has too much pace for the covering defence to touch down.
7-all: Sliky hands from the Japanese nearly punish the Australians after a mistake, finding a gap down the short side.
The Aussies continue to rally in defence and do just enough to force the mistake.
Josh Canham backs this up with a crucial ruck penalty for Declan Meredith to boot for touch over halfway.
7-all: Unreal chase from Harry Potter nearly creates the Wallabies' second as he backs up Tom Wright's booming kick.
Potter briefly wins the ball back five metres out, only to be isolated and pinged for playing the ball on the ground as the support arrived.
Time for the first drinks break.
7-all: The humidity seems to be having its effect on handling as both teams drop the ball cold.
Neither team yet to gain scrum dominance.
7-all: The chaos ball delivers for the Wallabies as Harry Potter levels the scores.
The break comes after a wild long pass from Tom Wright is dropped by Japan, landing into Hunter Paisami's direction in clear space.
The visitors shift it to Potter's wing, who collects a loose ball and cuts back inside for the well-worked try.
Japan 7-0: Japan have cashed in on their field position through flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito.
A bold quick tap from McReight leads to a Japanese counter attack, with Ito splitting a pair of defenders and carrying Ryan Lonergan over the line for the try.
A great play down the short side under advantage has Japan firing in attack.
They expose the Aussies for space as Harry Potter has to clean up a kick in behind.
Max Jorgensen backs it up with a turnover as Josh Canham out of all people boots it 50 metres into safety.
Ben Gunter responds with his own break, with Fraser McReight there for the turnover.
Plenty of defence for the visitors early as the Japanese control territory.
A great hit from Hunter Paisami halts their attack, leading to a sharp kick for the line in-behind.
They force a knock-on shortly afterwards close to halfway for the first scrum of the game, with the Aussies making a half break before coughing it up themselves.
Japan launch the ball deep to the Wallabies' Josh Canham and this game is underway!
Not the best clearance kick will give Japan first shot at the Wallabies defence 35 metres out, with their bomb trickling into touch just over the 22.
The Aussies are running left to right on your screen to start the game.
Tries: Potter, Wright, Jorgensen, McReight, Tupou
Cons: Lonergan 4/4, Donaldson 1/1
Pens:
Tries: Ito, Makisi, Ueda, Dearns
Cons: Matsunaga 3/4
Pens: Matsunaga 2/2
Strong anthems from both sides as we get ready for kick-off.
There's a moment of silence for thos who lost their life in the Kumamoto earthquake.
Conditions starting to cool but the humidity is lingering around as the sun goes down.
There’s small pockets of gold in the crowd but it’s all Japan here in Tokyo.
The teams come off the field at the same time to a great applause from the crowd.
Coach Les Kiss still as calm as ever, even chatting it up with the Aussies in the crowd at one stage.
Big cheers for Michael Leitch on the Japan side of things as teams are read out.
Both sides are going through their paces as the sun starts to set in Osaka.
It's a beauty of a stadium in Osaka, with the mountains in the background giving a special view.
The crowd is building nicely, with a packed stadium expected for tonight.
