Wallabies player ratings vs Japan | Flight Centre Series 2026

TOWNSVILLE: The Wallabies have won three matches in a row for the first time in two years, piling on 42 unanswered points as they ran away with it 56-17 over Japan’s Brave Blossoms at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Before Townsville hosts four pool-stage matches at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, rugby fans in North Queensland had the chance to watch the Wallabies play in the region for the second time in as many years.

Five different front-rowers touched down for tries, including a double to tighthead prop Taniela Tupou. Massimo De Lutiis, who became Wallaby number 1000 on debut for the national team, was another try-scorer in the comprehensive victory.

Here’s how the Wallabies rated.

1. Angus Bell – 8/10
Bell returned to the run-on side this week, after coming off the bench in the nail-biting 35-32 win over Japan in Osaka. The Wallabies pack that has some ascendancy at scrum time, and the loosehead was able to have some success around the park individually. Bell was the first player to reach double digits for tackles completed, was top-five for carries by the 55-minute mark, and he burrowed over for a try during the second half. Another top performance from Bell.

2. Josh Nasser – 8

Nasser has helped the Wallabies take their lineout to an all-new level this season, with the hooker again hitting every target in a Test. The Queenslander went five from five, with young lock Lachlan Shaw most often. Max Jorgensen was dragged down just shy of the try line early in the first half, only for Nasser to burrow over for a five-pointer in the next phase.

3. Taniela Tupou – 9
The first three Wallabies tries were scored by front-rowers, with Josh Nasser crossing first before Taniela Tupou powered over for a double. It’s the first time since April 21, 2021, that Tupou has scored at least one try in back-to-back matches. The tighthead set the tone early with a menacing shot in defence, and delivered a couple of point-scoring blows during the first half.

Tupou led the tackle count after the first 10 minutes, and continued to have an impact on the Test during a 60-minute shift. The Wallabies had some ascendancy at scrum time, with Tupou laying down a marker in a new-look front-row.

4. Lachlan Shaw – 7
Got the chance to call the shots at lineout time, with Josh Canham moving out of the matchday 23 and Jeremy Williams again coming off the bench. Shaw called his own number first up and continued to hone that responsibility as the match went on. The lock stole a lineout on Japan’s throw during the first half, which stands out as the highlight from a fairly good starting debut for the 23-year-old. But in open play, Shaw wasn’t able to make a truly memorable impact in either attack or defence.

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 7.5
Salakaia-Loto was unleashed back into the Test arena for the first time since November 2, 2025, with the now 46-Test lock named alongside Lachlan Shaw. The 29-year-old had the equal second-most carries during the first half and made some physical shots in defence as well. Isaac Henry was the only player who had beaten more defenders than Salakaia-Loto during the first 40, with the lock earning a rest 10 minutes into the second term.

6. Charlie Cale – 8
It’s been more than two years since Cale last started a match for the Wallabies, with coach Joe Schmidt naming the backrower at No. 8 during the July internationals. Fast-forward to now, Cale can take plenty of positives out of this long-awaited return to the First XV. The 25-year-old was one of the top-tacklers on the afternoon and made a huge difference at the set-piece, winning two lineouts on Japan’s throw. But the blindside flanker was kept fairly quiet in attack, only carrying the ball a few times in the first 50 minutes.

7. Carlo Tizzano – 8.5
Tizzano has done practically nothing wrong in two starts at openside flanker this season. Fraser McReight was moved to the bench, opening the door for Tizzano to start in the No. 7 jumper for the second time in three Tests. The now 16-Test Wallaby was one of the standouts in a 47-point win over Italy last month, and the same can be said about this match too.

In another impressive 80-minute shift, Tizzano got over the ball to win three turnovers. Tizzano was otherwise strong in attack and for the most part quite good in defence, finishing in double digits for tackles completed.

8. Harry Wilson – 7.5
The Wallabies have won three matches in a row for the first time since 2024, and captain Wilson is a big reason why. It may be a cliché to say this, but Wilson genuinely leads by example in all areas of the park. The No. 8 was in double digits for tackles completed and put up some solid numbers in attack as well, which led to a try late in the Test.

9. Ryan Lonergan – 6
This was the first time since the July Nations Championship Test that Lonergan and Carter Gordon had been named in the halves together. But there was something different about this Japan Test, with Lonergan taking on kicking duties from the get-go. The scrum-half had the ball on a string, showcasing important accuracy off the kicking tee.

But in open play, Lonergan had some moments to forget, starting with a box kick that sailed into touch on the full early on. The No. 9 set up for another box kick soon after, skipping away from the ruck before putting boot to ball – but Harry Hockings charged it down, leading to Japan’s first try of the afternoon. Lonergan had a try disallowed himself later in the first half too.

10. Carter Gordon – 8
The Wallabies have found their No. 10 to take them through to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 on home soil. Gordon has been plagued by injuries since returning from the NRL last October, making just two appearances in Wallaby gold before the Townsville Test. But Gordon showcased sheer confidence from minute one, taking the ball onto the line and finding some success with a couple of half-breaks. In the sixth minute, Gordon carried the ball at the line before getting a tidy offload to Isaac Henry, who raced a bit further downfield.

11. Harry Potter – 6.5
Potter has been in great form for the Wallabies in recent weeks, working hard around the park and then reaping the rewards of those efforts. The winger again brought that energy to the field but wasn’t quite able to make the same impact as the Italy and last Japan Test. Potter was held to less than 20 metres from seven carries.

12. Hunter Paisami – 7.5
Paisami was brilliant last weekend in Osaka, and the 28-year-old was again able to make the most of a rare opportunity to start, this time alongside a new centre partner at this level. The inside centre finished in double digits for total carries and generally linked up well with Isaac Henry in the midfield. Paisami is one of the big winners out of the Flight Centre Series for the Wallabies, giving coach Les Kiss plenty to ponder going into the Argentina matches.

13. Isaac Henry – 9
There was plenty of talk last week about whether Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii should stay at outside centre or shift to the outside backs. It seems fair to say that those discussions will continue among fans and pundits this week, with Henry talking an opportunity to start with both hands.

Henry debuted for the Wallabies last week and was brought into the First XV this weekend, in place of the injured Suaalii. The utility back set the tone in the first half by beating six defenders, which was double the tally of the next best player.

It was ruled out, but Henry deserves some credit for a try that never was. Henry ran a superb line off Paisami before setting up Ryan Lonergan, but his centre partner delivered a short ball that drifted forward, so the try was ruled out.

Henry was one of the team leaders for total carries, made a game-high two line breaks, and ran for more than 60 metres. In defence, the Queenslander put up a respectable total that was middle of the pack when compared to other Wallabies.

14. Max Jorgensen – 8
Jorgensen’s first carry almost ended with points, with the winger flying down the right sideline and into the attacking 22. The No. 14 was stopped just shy of the try line but it did lead to a score, with Josh Nasser burrowing over in the next phase. ‘Jorgo’ made a remarkable try-scoring effort with less than 10 minutes left in the half. Jorgensen made seven tackles and ran the ball seven times, in what was quite a good performance from the winger.

15. Tom Wright – 7
It was a bit of a mixed performance from Wright, who had some good moments but was also kept usually quiet for long periods. Wright’s most memorable involvement was a clever kick during the first half, having identified a lot of space out back and a possible chance at a 50/22. In the second term, the fullback made a break down the left edge but was bundled into touch.

Replacements
The impact of the bench is quickly becoming a real strength for the Wallabies. Jeremy Williams won a pilfer penalty almost immediately after coming on, as did Fraser McReight after being injected into the match soon after. But the standout moment, of course, was debutant Massimo De Lutiis scoring a try on debut.