Wallabies vs Japan live: Australia scores 56 points in dominant win over Brave Blossoms

Australia struggled in the first half, despite holding a 21-17 lead at half-time.

Japan was playing with energy and, at times, the Wallabies were struggling to keep up.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told Stan Sport the team was challenged at half-time by coach Les Kiss, and they responded well.

We got challenged by Les [Kiss] at half-time.

A team like Japan, if you’re not up for it they really make you pay.

I was really proud of the group in the second half. We stepped it up and put on a great performance.

Japan captain Warner Dearns has spoken to host broadcaster Stan Sport.

Japan were really good in the first half, and held a narrow lead late in the opening 40 minutes.

But that was as good as it got. as the Wallabies dominated the second half to run out handy winners.

Here is Dearns and his thoughts:

It was a good, tough, really hard battle. Credit to the Wallabies, they came out and gave us one in the second half, which we couldn’t keep up with.

We knew that the Wallabies were going to come out hard. They had a big, physical pack at the start of the first half, so we put a real emphasis on trying to move them around and play a bit of our fast rugby.

I think we did it well in the first half, but we couldn’t keep it going in the second half.

Isaac Henry has spoken to host broadcaster Stan Sport following the Wallabies 56-17 win over Japan.

The Wallabies were tested in the first half, where Japan led at one point.

But the Wallabies came out in the second half and were an improved outfit.

Here are some of Henry’s thoughts on the win.

I think all the boys worked extreamly hard and I just tried to do my job the best I could.

We weren’t happy with some of the possessions we had in the first half and I think we kind of fixed that up a little bit.

It is a cherry on top for Australia.

They marched down field, earned a penalty, and just kept hammering the Japanese line.

Ultimately, it was Brandon Paenga-Amosa who crashed over from close range.

Australia 56

Japan 17

The Wallabies are really humming now.

A line break from Tom Wright (15) down the right flank, followed by a pass to Tate McDermott (21) put Japan on the backfoot.

The Wallabies then did what they have done all game when they get inside the Japan 22, they hammer with the forwards.

Pick-and-drives, short passes to big men, the Wallabies hammer and hammer until captain Harry Wilson crashes over.

Australia 49

Japan 17

Fabulous from the Australian forwards.

The Wallabies had a scrum 10 metres out. The Wallabies anhilated the Japan scrum, pushing them back six metres before Charlie Cale, in the number 8 posiiton, picked the ball up and had no-one in front of him.

Great try by the big guys.

Australia 42

Japan 17

The Wallabies are on the attack, and Japan has given away a penalty.

Japan has now been warned for too mamy penalties while defending the goal-line.

The Wallabies attacked the Japanese goal-line, with a chance to end this contest.

But a knock-on close to the line has kept the Japanese in this contest.

Australia 35

Japan 17

Japan’s attack in this second half has been nullified by a brilliant display from Australia in the ruck.

Four times the Wallabies have forced a penalty with the Brave Blossoms on the attack, getting their hands on the ball and forcing a penalty.

Carlo Tizzano (7) has been responsible for three of the penalties, in a textbook display of openside flanker play.

Australia 35

Japan 17

Both starting props have now scored for the Wallabies.

From close range, Angus Bell crashes over.

The Wallabies have a new game plan: box kick high and let winger Max Jorgensen chase and catch it.

It put them in an attacking positon, and then a penalty allowed the home side to kick for touch and have a line out from close range.

The Wallabies played off the line out, attacked the middle of Japan’s defence, and muscled their way over.

Ryan Lonergan converts.

Australia 28

Japan 17

There have been changes from both teams.

Australia

ON: Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16); OFF: Josh Nasser (2)

Japan

ON: Kazuma Ueda (23) OFF: Haruto Kida (14)

A high box kick from Ryan Lonergan is chased by Australian winger Max Jorgensen, who catches the ball and streaks away.

Jorgensen is brought down, but the Wallabies are on the attack.

Australia enters the Japan 22 and fullback Tom Wright makes a line break, brought down six metres out.

But the Wallabies have been penalised for a neck roll in the break down. Japan survive and can breath a sigh of relief.

Australia 21

Japan 17