Kiss’ fingerprints quickly appearing on new-look Wallabies

It was fitting that Saturday’s 56-17 win against Japan took place in Townsville, because at times it looked like we were watching Queensland in gold jerseys.

The Les Kiss era has definitely arrived because his imprint was all over the Wallabies’ attack.

The interplay between Hunter Paisami, Carter Gordon and Isaac Henry was pure Reds rugby. And then, in the second half, the Wallabies’ forwards embraced their inner bully.

Ultimately, Kiss’ preferred midfield partnership will be Paisami and Len Ikitau, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii contesting for a spot in the outside backs.

That’s not a knock on Suaalii, it’s just a reflection of how Kiss likes to play. Accordingly, there was little surprise that Henry fitted in so well: he’s a genuine centre who runs great lines.

The Wallabies have McRizz

Should Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano be on the field at the same time? It’s a no-brainer, and Kiss saw the light for the latter stages of the Test in Townsville. The Wallabies were already winning at the breakdown, but McReight turned the dial up to 11 when he was injected off the bench.

The appeal of their partnership is that opponents will hate it, especially if the match officials allow some leeway at the breakdown.

But both are such clean operators at the ruck they will invariably slow the ball down at the very least. They also both have established themselves as good carriers of the ball – McReight out wide and Tizzano in tight.

There was definitely enough evidence in Townsville, albeit from a small sample size, to investigate the partnership further.

Lonergan’s true appeal

Ryan Lonergan does many things well, but the halfback’s worth to the Wallabies was best seen in Taniela Tupou’s first-half try. Lonergan’s flat ball is as good as anyone’s in this part of the world, and he fizzed one across the Japan defence for Paisami.

He then showed his variety and smarts by popping up a short ball for a rampaging Tupou. Lonergan is on top of his game. He must stay fit if the Wallabies are to succeed in some of the tougher fixtures ahead, with the two Tests in Argentina likely to be a step up from Townsville.

Canberra must do a Christchurch

The success of April’s Super Round in Christchurch at the new One NZ Stadium was obvious, but that piece of infrastructure has been the gift that keeps on giving.

There were almost 19,000 people at the Canterbury v Bay of Plenty National Provincial Championship game in Christchurch on Saturday – more than the Panthers v Roosters top of the table NRL clash on Thursday – and Canterbury also had about 20,000 for their first-round game against Auckland.

Those numbers really make you wonder where the Brumbies would be if Canberrans had a similar stadium to enjoy. These cleverly designed new venues are community destinations: politicians in the capital, please take note.

All Blacks make South Africa tour more interesting

It’s not often you see Bulls forwards manhandled at their Loftus Versfeld fortress, but that is what happened in the All Blacks’ 50-19 win in Pretoria.

The Bulls are in pre-season mode and not at their best, but the All Blacks’ performance was clearly a step up physically from their first two tour games.

The Springboks are still favourites to win next week’s first Test and the series, but they will have taken note of how some of the Bulls’ well-credentialed big men were driven back in contact. That tour definitely just got more interesting.