Wallabies Wallop Japan As They Aim For 13th Win In A Row Against Wales

The Wallabies hammered out a nine-try warning to Wales as they put Japan to the sword in their warm-up for this weekend’s clash with Wales in the opening game of the 2017 Under Armour Series at the Principality Stadium.

There were five tries from dumper-truck centre pairing Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi and some further power running from wing Henry Speight. And the victory came without the help of top-choice half backs Will Genia and Bernard Foley.

They are both expected to be fit to face Wales on Saturday, when Michael Cheika’s side will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to seven games. This time last year they put Wales to the sword with five tries in a 32-8 victory to make it 12 wins in a row over Wales.

Kuridrani, a try scorer in two of his three wins over Wales, helped himself to a hat-trick of tries and Reece Hodge ensured that first-choice outside half Bernard Foley wasn’t missed as he converted all nine tries in his role as an emergency No 10. If Foley isn’t fit to face Wales then head coach Michael Cheika will have no hesitation in asking Hodge to step in again.

The Aussies were 35-3 ahead at the break and were never troubled, although skipper Michael Hooper wasn’t happy with the fact his side didn’t add to their score in the final 15 minutes. The Japanese ended with a flourish, scoring two tries of their own in that period.

“We were really happy with about 60 minutes of our game but we conceded those points late on and we’ve got to be better than that. It was a great experience playing here and well played to Japan,” said Hooper.

“It was a really hard, fast game and it was hot out there early on. The fans were loud and you can feel how big it’s going to be here in two years’ time for the World Cup.”