Australia began a new era under coach Les Kiss with a hard-fought 35-32 victory over Japan in Osaka, marking the start of the Wallabies' preparations for the 2027 World Cup.
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Key facts
- Australia beat Japan 35-32 in a rugby union international in Osaka.
- The match was Les Kiss's first game in charge as Wallabies coach.
- Kick-off was 7pm local time in Osaka (8pm AEST) on Saturday.
- Temperatures were forecast to climb to 36C during the day before the evening kick-off.
- Kiss's message to his team ahead of the game was 'deep care.'
Australia opened a new chapter under coach Les Kiss with a narrow 35-32 win over Japan in a rugby union international played in Osaka, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the match.
The fixture marked the beginning of the Les Kiss era for the Wallabies, with the new coach preparing his team for what the Guardian described as a sprint to next year’s World Cup. Kick-off was scheduled for 7pm local time in Osaka, equivalent to 8pm AEST.
Conditions were challenging, with the Guardian reporting that temperatures were forecast to climb to a steamy 36C during the day before the evening kick-off. The publication noted that the heat was on for Kiss both physically and metaphorically as he began his tenure.
Ahead of his first match in charge, Kiss delivered a message of ‘deep care’ to his squad. According to the Guardian, he wants his team to care about every second, both on and off the pitch, when they are on national team duty.
The Guardian framed the game against Japan, known as the Brave Blossoms, as a potential source of discomfort for the new coach, noting that an embarrassing first loss would have made the short runway to next year’s tournament even more uncomfortable. Australia ultimately avoided that outcome by three points.
The match forms part of what the Guardian characterised as a 2026 Test calendar resembling a patchwork quilt of matches scattered around the world, as the All Blacks and Springboks flex their financial muscles and teams begin preparations for the World Cup.
Why it matters
The result gives new Wallabies coach Les Kiss a winning start as Australia builds toward next year's Rugby World Cup. A first-up loss to Japan would have added pressure to an already tight preparation window.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score in Japan v Australia?
Australia won 35-32, according to the Guardian's live coverage of the match in Osaka.
Who is the new Australia rugby coach?
Les Kiss is the new Wallabies coach, and this match against Japan was his first game in charge.
Where and when was the match played?
The match was played in Osaka, Japan, with kick-off at 7pm local time (8pm AEST) on Saturday, in temperatures forecast to reach 36C during the day.
Timeline
- Japan 32-35 Australia: rugby union international – as it happened
The Guardian Sport: Wallabies win first match under new coach Les Kiss Amatosero red carded in the first half “Deep care,” is the message from Les Kiss ahead of his first match in charge of Australia. He wants his team to care about every second, on and off the pitch, when they’re on national team d
- Japan 32-35 Australia: rugby union international – live
The Guardian Sport: Updates as Wallabies begin new era under Les Kiss Kick-off: 7pm local in Osaka/8pm AEST | Email us “Deep care,” is the message from Les Kiss ahead of his first match in charge of Australia. He wants his team to care about every second, on and off the pitch, when they’re on nation
- Japan v Australia: rugby union international – live
The Guardian Sport: Updates as Wallabies begin new era under Les Kiss Kick-off: 7pm local in Osaka/8pm AEST | Email us Back to tonight’s match, with Jack Snape setting the scene as the Les Kiss era begins in sweltering Japanese heat. The heat is on for new Wallabies coach Les Kiss – both physically