Must start with the coaches I think Dru. Maybe we have to accept that Dave Rennie's coaching style is more like South Africa than what we'd like as fans.
Agreed (your first statement), though (on your second) it seems somewhat churlish to disdain Rennie's game plan or presume what game plan that I might prefer. FWIW I don't have a problem with Rennie's game plan.
The halves seemed limited in guiding the team back into
any game plan. When the pack got into the planned rhythm the halves followed. Great. But it also needs leading. A lack of familiarity (with each other and with the game plan) is a big part of this, and will always be an issue with a rep team like Aus A. Lessor experience levels of the players also have an impact on the issue, and not just at the halves. But the halves have a job that is high on their "key role" list.
I don't have a problem with the box kick per se - especially when there is a logical game plan that is driving the technique with a purpose in mind in specific game situations or field positions. My observation is that Lonergan's kicks seem aligned with Vunivalu as the chaser - from what I saw. They were also mostly placed in positions that ensured a concentration of opposition interrupters for the chaser - from what I saw. Putting the chaser into dense traffic. That could be odd coaching (and lack of adaptation) or poor execution (more likely I think). Short of Vunivalu being meant to launch from 13 and not wing it isn't his issue but an issue that lies with the kicker.
But actually that is not what I was talking about. I was talking about how Japan have a game plan that devolves frequently into loose play which leads Aus A (and the Wallabies for that matter) to default into the same looseness. Away from the trained strategy for the game, and into a position of relative strength for Japan. When this happens the halves are key to direct the team back into their trained patterns. Doubly so if you are also the captain. In this respect the game plan itself is irrelevant, getting back onto it is critical, whatever it may be.
BUT the halves played what is in front of them very well and clearly both have high ceilings. The game plan was there when the pack established set patterns. The halves showed good individual skillsets and a positive headspace to go for the win. Aus A should be huge tool for development around this sort of stuff.