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With a daring move, Australia rested 13 key players and named the team's most inexperienced skipper in over six decades. Against the odds, this gamble proved successful, as the Wallabies overcame their former coach's Japan team by four points in a rain-soaked Tokyo.

Snapping a Slide and Preserving a Perfect Record

This narrow victory halts three-match losing streak and maintains the Wallabies' unblemished record versus the Brave Blossoms intact. It also prepares the team for the upcoming return to Twickenham, where their first-choice lineup will strive to replicate last year's thrilling win over England.

Schmidt's Shrewd Tactics Pay Off

Facing the 13th-ranked Japan, the Wallabies had much on the line following a difficult home season. Head coach Joe Schmidt opted to hand younger players their chance, concerned about fatigue during a grueling five-week tour. This canny yet risky approach mirrored a previous Wallabies attempt in 2022 that ended in an unprecedented defeat to the Italian side.

First-Half Struggles and Fitness Setbacks

Japan started strongly, including front-rower Hayate Era landing several big hits to rattle the visitors. However, the Wallabies steadied and sharpened, as Nick Champion de Crespigny scoring near the line for a 7-0 advantage.

Fitness issues hit early, as locks second-rowers substituted—one with bruised ribs and his replacement the other with concussion. This forced an already reshuffled Wallabies to adjust their forward lineup and game plan on the fly.

Frustrating Offense and Breakthrough Score

The Wallabies pressed repeatedly near their opponents' line, pounding the defensive wall with one-inch punches yet unable to score for thirty-two rucks. Following probing central channels ineffectively, they finally spread the ball from a scrum, and a center slicing through before assisting Josh Flook for a score extending the lead to 14-3.

Controversial Calls and Japan's Fightback

Another apparent score by a flanker got denied on two occasions because of questionable rulings, summing up a frustrating opening period for the Wallabies. Slippery conditions, narrow strategies, and the Brave Blossoms' ferocious defense ensured the match tight.

Late Action and Tense Finish

The home team came out with more energy in the second period, registering via a forward to narrow the deficit to six points. The Wallabies hit back quickly through Tizzano scoring close in to restore an 11-point advantage.

However, the Brave Blossoms struck back when Andrew Kellaway dropped a kick, allowing Ben Hunter to cross. At 19-15, the game was on a knife-edge, as the underdogs pushing for a historic win over the Wallabies.

During the final stages, Australia dug deep, securing a crucial scrum then a infringement. They held on under pressure, clinching a hard-fought victory which sets them up for their European fixtures.