The Wrap: Wallabies go off script but eventually get it done in Hanazono sweatbox

Despite the Wallabies stuttering to an unpersuasive 35-32 win over Japan in Osaka, I wouldn’t be rushing to pass judgment on Les Kiss’ introduction to the head coaching role. That’s the beauty of having a return match this weekend in Townsville – where I expect the Wallabies will find themselves on much surer footing and deliver a more convincing performance than what we saw in the Hanazono sweatbox.

There is no shortage of work-ons for the Wallabies this week, but surely the starting point will be to address a puzzling lack of authority and direction in their play. Starting within themselves, the Wallabies seemed comfortable in allowing Japan to set the pattern and tempo of the match, before being drawn into mirroring their style of play.

For one, that’s not how Test rugby works. Key is to get on the front foot right from the start and to take the opposition to a place they don’t want to be. Overly cautious, passive play and bunting exit kicks barely beyond the 22 is not the way to go about things.

Thus it was Japan who took the Wallabies to where they wanted them – a shootout where the fastest man on the draw got the spoils. Sparkling tries to Ryunosuke Ito and Faulua Makisi were their reward, and it was only an outstanding defensive play from Tom Wright that stopped the home side from going into half-time 21-14 ahead.

Yes, Japan’s risk and reward approach cost them too; Harry Potter finishing nicely on the counter after the home side overplayed their hand, and Wright running it in on one of the few occasions the Wallabies’ second man backline play didn’t break down.

Things improved for the Wallabies straight after half-time, off the back of stern messaging about the need to play more directly, and once it became clear that the second unit scrum held dominance, the outcome should have been put to bed far more convincingly than it actually was.

Again, that was down to a curious deficit of leadership and direction. When a front row forward takes it upon himself to barely hoof a kick to touch off to try to end the half, when the skipper is throwing the ball away, conceding ten metres and gifting the opposition a late opportunity to steal the match… that speaks to a lack of clarity and purpose around the game plan, and individual roles within it.

That’s another reason why I think the Wallabies will be vastly improved by the addition of Carter Gordon at flyhalf this coming weekend. Foremost in Gordon’s considerable skill set is his desire and acceptance of responsibility in managing the game from fly-half.