Massimo De Lutiis (centre) scored on his Wallabies debut. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
Massimo De Lutiis has enjoyed a dream debut for Australia, as the 1,000th Wallaby scored a try in his country's commanding 56-17 win over Japan in the second Test.
De Lutiis came on in the 50th minute of the Test match in Townsville with the match delicately poised at 21-17, the half-time score.
But the introduction of the hulking 22-year-old began the start of Australia's dominance in the Test match, as fellow prop Angus Bell scored the first of five second-half tries.
De Lutiis, with the descendants of the very first Wallaby Patrick Carew in attendance, scored minutes later to send his teammates, and the crowd, into a frenzy.
"One thousand is awesome. But just to be a Wallaby in general is crazy to me. It's a dream come true," De Lutiis told the Nine Network post-match.
"When I scored, I was just over the moon. I couldn't believe it."
After a difficult first half, the Wallabies improved in attack and defence to earn the win. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
Despite the impressive scoreline, the Wallabies were tested in the opening 50 minutes, with the Japanese taking the lead late in the first half.
At three tries apiece after 40 minutes, the Brave Blossoms had every right to believe a maiden win over the Wallabies was there for the taking.
But Australia showed the polish which eluded them in the first half, and the first Test in Osaka last weekend.
New coach Les Kiss, in his second match in charge, provided the right team talk at half-time to wrestle momentum from Japan.
"We got challenged by Les [Kiss] at half-time," captain Harry Wilson told the Nine Network.
"A team like Japan, if you're not up for it, they really make you pay.
"I was really proud of the group in the second half. We stepped it up and put on a great performance."
