‘Caught in the washing machine’: Bell reflects on Kiss’ Wallabies message

Les Kiss has only been in the top Wallabies job for a matter of weeks, but already the head coach has led the team to a tough win and reinforced to the playing group just how special it is to represent Australia.

The Wallabies have strung back-to-back wins together for the first time in a year, beating Italy by a 47-point margin in the Nations Championship and then overcoming Japan in a three-point thriller last weekend in Osaka.

It’s the first time the Aussies have won two on the bounce since shocking the British & Irish Lions on August 2 last year, before backing up that effort with a remarkable win over the Springboks in Johannesburg.

Kiss fronted the press at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium last month, shaking hands with all in attendance before expressing sheer pride in coaching at the highest level. The former Queensland Reds coach is a former Australian rugby league international himself.

The Wallaby way and the pride of wearing the jersey is something that Kiss has looked to instil on the playing group this month, as front-rower Angus Bell opened up on before heading to Townsville for the team’s next fixture.

“It’s just about having care for your teammates and leaving the jersey in a better place than it was. That’s something that Wallabies have done before us; I know that’s something [James Slipper] is big on too,” Bell told reporters.

“Week-to-week, you get caught in the washing machine of what Test match rugby is. You’re always bashing each other, trying to get better at training, those sort of things, and you get lost in how special a Test match is.

“Test matches don’t come around often. People don’t get many caps. What Les touches on is how special it is if you get an opportunity in the 23, how awesome it is because one day is all stops.

“[Kiss has] really instilled in us how actually special it is to represent the Wallabies and also how exciting the next… year could be for us as a team.”

Kiss took over as head coach from Joe Schmidt, who finished up with a dominant 57-10 triumph over Italy in Perth. That result followed two tough defeats to Ireland and France, with the Aussies leading both Six Nations giants at half-time.

The team’s new era under Kiss got underway in Osaka last weekend, with Harry Potter and Tom Wright touching down for first half tries. In scorching conditions, neither team truly took control, with Japan levelling the scores at 14-all before half-time.

Fraser McReight and Taniela Tupou got on the scoresheet during the second term, which had been more of the same. It was a nail-biting that came down to the wire, with Japan captain Warner Dearns making it a one-score game in the dying stages.

But the Wallabies held on, taking out the first Flight Centre Series Test with a gritty performance, having lost lock Miles Amatosero to a 20-minute red card just before the half-time break.

“We know how hard Test matches are and no one ever goes out there to not be successful in winning those games,” Bell said.

“We’ve got a couple wins on the bounce now against a good Italian side and a Japanese side but we tend to look in, so trying to get better individually.

“You’re working on what you’re really good at and making that even better and then just collectively as a team bringing it all together and playing for the collective.”