Australia held on for a tight 35-32 victory over Japan, despite a first‑half red card for Miles Amatosero, as they made a winning start in head coach Les Kiss' first match in charge.

The Wallabies were forced to dig deep, battling heat and a man down, holding off a strong comeback from Japan to emerge victorious. Kiss said it was tough not just the conditions, but also that Japan are a good, fast‑and‑hard team at parade. Australia finished the first phase of the Nations Championship with one win in three, a victory over Italy.

Tries from Max Jorgensen and Fraser Mc Reight early in the second half gave Australia a nine‑point lead, but Japan ate it back with penalties from Takuro Matsunaga. The quality of the Australian bench kept pressure, and Taniela Tupou gave Japan a 10‑point lead with 10 minutes left, yet the Wallabies held on as Japan captain Warner Dearns set up a grandstand finish.

Eddie Jones, in his second stint with Japan, admitted the team let themselves down in the last 20 minutes and praised their hard work. With only one uncapped player, centre Isaac Henry, Kiss also recalled versatile forward Lukhan Salakaia‑Loto while leaving out veteran James Slipper.