RUGBY – AUSTRALIA are desperate to register back-to-back test wins for the first time in a year when they take on Japan today, but skipper Harry Wilson said they needed to be wary of the Brave Blossoms on the counterattack.
Not since they beat the British & Irish Lions and Springboks in August last year have the Wallabies managed two wins in a row but that is the target in Osaka after they beat Italy in July to snap a six-match losing streak.
“It’s always nice to get a win after a fair few losses on the trot,” number eight Wilson told reporters in Osaka yesterday. “It definitely gave the team a little bit more confidence, but we’re very aware we need to be a consistent team, we want to be winning consistently.
“We’ve got an opportunity this Saturday to get two in a row and really try and build the momentum in our squad.”
Today’s clash also marks the first match in charge for Les Kiss and he will pit his coaching smarts against Eddie Jones, who has twice been in charge of the Wallabies and will be hoping to lead Japan to their first win over Australia.
Wilson said Australia were expecting the hosts to come out firing at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, where high temperatures and stifling humidity are forecast.
“We know, I guess, how fast tempo Japan plays and some of their counterattack is unbelievable,” Wilson said.