Taniela Tupou double helps power Australia to emphatic win over Japan

Taniela Tupou double helps power Australia to emphatic win over Japan

Taniela Tupou scored twice as Australia produced a dominant second-half display to beat Japan 56-17 in Townsville on Saturday and win three Tests in a row for the first time since 2024.

The first Test between these two sides in Osaka last week was a close affair, with the Wallabies holding on for a 35-32 victory, but after a competitive first half in Queensland on Saturday, the hosts ran away with the contest in the second.

The Wallabies only led 21-17 at half-time after Tupou's second try on the stroke of the break, but ran in five unanswered tries after the interval to complete a seven-try victory.

Josh Nasser, Angus Bell, debutant Massimo De Lutiis, Charlie Cale, Harry Wilson and Brandon Paenga-Amosa also crossed, with Ryan Lonergan adding five conversions.

The result extended Australia's unbeaten record against Japan to nine Tests and provided another boost for new coach Les Kiss, who has overseen consecutive wins over the Brave Blossoms following last week's victory in Osaka.

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