The Australian national rugby union team, affectionately known as the Wallabies, kicked off their 2026 Rugby World Cup campaign in style with a hard-fought 25-20 win over Japan in a nail-biting encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday. The match, which was played in front of a packed crowd of over 50,000 spectators, was a true test of the Wallabies’ mettle, with the Japanese side pushing them to the limit.
The Wallabies, led by captain James Slipper, took an early lead with a try from winger Marika Koroibete in the 10th minute. However, Japan fought back strongly, narrowing the gap to just two points with a series of well-executed attacks in the first half. The Wallabies’ defense held firm, though, and they went into the break with a slender 12-10 lead. The second half saw the Wallabies extend their lead with two more tries, while Japan managed to score two late consolation tries to set up a tense finish.
In the end, the Wallabies’ superior fitness and experience told, and they were able to hold off a late Japanese surge to secure a crucial World Cup victory. The win sets the Wallabies up nicely for their next match, a showdown with reigning World Cup champions South Africa in two weeks’ time. Japan, meanwhile, will regroup and look to bounce back from their defeat in their next match against Samoa.