The new Wallabies coach has copped an early hospital pass

August 8, 2026 — 9:33am

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Les Kiss’ first Test as Wallabies coach could easily turn into the shocker in Osaka.

The heat and humidity they are likely to encounter is one factor, but aside from that, Japan are a competitive Test side underpinned by an improving domestic competition filled with high-quality coaches from around the world.

The Brave Blossoms were messed around by Ireland’s recent refusal to travel to Japan in the Nations Championship, but they have won the scheduling battle for this two-Test series against the Wallabies.

Kiss would have copped the odd hospital pass as a player. Now, as a coach, he’s got a high ball well above his shoulders with Eddie Jones steaming in from 20 metres away.

The Wallabies could lose this Test. The bar for success in Kiss’ debut as coach is a win of any nature: get the job done and get out of there.

It is a Test with a high-risk profile, and Kiss was never going to be able to fully mitigate that risk, no matter how he selected his........

© The Age