Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Les Kiss Wallabies’ mantra has been music to Tom Wright’s ears and the fullback is making sure teammates are keeping time.
Recovered from a knee reconstruction last year, Wright is improving with each outing and tried his best to ignite Australia’s attack in Kiss’s first Test in charge.
But a plucky Japan in horribly humid Osaka conditions – coupled with a lack of possession and 20 minutes without a 15th man on the park because of a red card – meant their 35-32 victory presented as more of a grind.
Kiss lamented some moments of impatience and over-zealousness after the game, but ahead of a rematch in Townsville on Saturday, made clear his approach wouldn’t change.
Wright said while former coach Joe Schmidt had pushed for perfection around fundamentals, Kiss had added a desire to play more expansively.
And, at his best one of the world’s most dangerous and bold operators in broken play, he said the message had been received.
“The mindset’s got to be … trust your instincts,” Wright said. “And you love a staff that push that style.
“Bring the game back to how you grew up (playing) in the backyard; trust the first thing that comes to mind.
“And to think maybe in the next five or 10 minutes ahead, about what’s going to give us the best chance.
“Finding that balance is what every team in world rugby’s trying to chase.”
Aside from where Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii plays, whether Kiss sticks with flyhalf Declan Meredith alongside Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan for a fourth-straight Test shapes as the biggest call of Thursday’s team selection.
Carter Gordon, who was impressive against Ireland before missing the next two Tests with a leg injury, is fit again and ran the water in Osaka.
“To have two consecutive Test wins when you start at flyhalf is something to be proud of,” Wright said in defence of his club teammate.
“I watched him come from genuine club football in Canberra.
“The confidence he’s got to bark at guys like Allan (Alaalato), (Josh) Canham, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson – and those guys react.
“So much respect, because he leaves everything out there.”
Meredith struggled for kicking distance when exiting defence in the first half and battled in the slippery conditions to get the attack humming as it had in a comfortable defeat of Italy in Australia’s previous match.
But, with playmaking back-up Ben Donaldson brought on at fullback and Wright moving to a wing, Meredith played the full game and remained bold in a tense final 20 minutes.
“He put one out on the full then bombed a kick for touch on the money,” Wright said.
“If you put the gun in the holster, then you’re half arsed in the next action as well … I’ll use the PG (rated) phrase – you need to put your neck out in those moments.
“You can shoot it short, or really go for it and be brave and confident in your own ability.
“That’s the sort of footy we want to play here.”
