Australia
Japan
J. Nasser (6'), T. Tupou (16', 38'), A. Bell (50'), M. Lutiis (57'), C. Cale (72'), H. Wilson (74'), B. Paenga-Amosa (80')
Tries
H. Hockings (11'), N. Saito (25'), D. Riley (33')
R. Lonergan (7', 17', 39', 51', 59'), B. Donaldson (73', 75', 81')
Conversions
T. Matsunaga (26')
For 40 minutes in Townsville, Australia had a problem. Japan were finding space, Australia were making mistakes and a match that should have been more comfortable was sitting at 21-17 at half-time.
By full-time, it looked completely different.
The Wallabies scored 35 unanswered points after the break to win 56-17, with all eight Australian tries coming from forwards. It was a dominant finish, but probably a more useful performance for Les Kiss than the final margin suggests. Australia showed exactly where their strength is at the moment, while also leaving enough problems on tape to work on before tougher Tests arrive.
Japan deserve credit for making the first half uncomfortable. Their speed and kicking game caused Australia problems and they were prepared to attack when opportunities appeared. Harry Hockings' chargedown try was a good example of the pressure they applied, while Naoto Saito and Dylan Riley also crossed as Japan briefly moved 17-14 ahead.
Australia's defence wasn't great during that period. There was space available and Japan were getting far too much reward when they managed to move the point of attack. Combined with a few Australian errors, it allowed the visitors to stay in a game that the Wallabies' forwards were already starting to influence.
Taniela Tupou's second try just before the break was important. It put Australia back ahead at 21-17 and started a run of 42 unanswered points. From there, Japan simply couldn't live with the Australian pack.
That was the biggest takeaway from the afternoon.
Australia's forwards were excellent. The scrum was strong, the lineout functioned well and the breakdown became increasingly one-sided, with Carlo Tizzano particularly effective over the ball. Once Australia got inside the Japanese 22, there was very little wasted possession.
Josh Nasser opened the scoring before Tupou powered over twice in the first half. After the break Angus Bell, Massimo De Lutiis, Charlie Cale, Harry Wilson and Brandon Paenga-Amosa followed.
Eight tries. All scored by forwards. Six of them by front-rowers.
It wasn't complicated rugby, but it didn't need to be. Australia got close to the Japanese line and backed their big men to finish. Japan knew what was coming and still struggled to stop it.
The missed tackles and physical workload eventually caught up with Eddie Jones' side. Australia were increasingly getting over the gain line, and once Japan's first contact started to lose its effectiveness, the Wallabies could play on the front foot almost constantly. Cale's try from a dominant five-metre scrum late in the game summed up where the contest had gone.
There was also a significant moment for Massimo De Lutiis. The 22-year-old Queensland Reds prop came off the bench to become the 1,000th Wallaby and then scored on debut, finishing from close range after Carter Gordon had broken into the Japanese 22. Not a bad way to start a Test career.
Gordon himself had a good return in the No.10 shirt. He didn't dominate every part of the match, but there was plenty to like. He was willing to take the ball to the line, created opportunities with both his running and kicking game and looked confident after his return from injury. With Australia's fly-half position still very much up for discussion, this was a useful performance.
Australia now have three Test wins in a row for the first time since 2024 and Kiss has started his tenure with two victories over Japan, following last week's much tighter 35-32 win in Osaka.
The 56 points will get attention, but the 35-0 second half is the part Australia will be happiest with. They were ruthless when opportunities came and their pack completely took control of the contest.
The first half can't just be ignored, though. Better sides will punish the defensive space and mistakes that Japan found.
For Japan, three competitive halves across these two Tests showed they can cause Australia problems. The final 40 minutes in Townsville showed the gap they still have to close when the game becomes physical and they are asked to defend repeated pressure.