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In a bold move, Australia benched a dozen-plus stars and named the team's least seasoned skipper in over six decades. Despite the risks, this gamble paid off, with the Wallabies overcame ex-mentor Eddie Jones' Japan squad 19-15 in a rain-soaked Tokyo.

Ending a Losing Streak and Maintaining a Unbeaten Run

The close win ends a three-game losing streak and maintains the Wallabies' perfect track record against Japan intact. It also sets them up for the upcoming return to Twickenham, in which the squad's top XV will aim to repeat previous dramatic win over England.

The Coach's Canny Tactics Pay Off

Facing the 13th-ranked team, the Wallabies faced a lot to lose following a difficult domestic campaign. Head coach Joe Schmidt opted to hand younger players their chance, concerned about tiredness during a demanding five-Test road trip. The canny though daring move echoed a previous Wallabies experiment in recent years that ended in an unprecedented loss to the Italian side.

First-Half Challenges and Fitness Setbacks

The home side began with intensity, with hooker a key forward delivering multiple monster hits to unsettle the visitors. But, the Australian team steadied and improved, as their new captain scoring from close range for a 7-0 advantage.

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

Challenging Attack and Breakthrough Try

The Wallabies applied pressure repeatedly on the Japanese line, hammering the defense with one-inch punches yet unable to break through over 32 rucks. After probing central channels without success, the team finally went wide from a scrum, and Hunter Paisami breaking through and setting up Josh Flook for a try that made it 14-3.

Debatable Calls and Japan's Fightback

A further potential score from Carlo Tizzano was denied twice due to questionable rulings, summing up an aggravating first half experienced by Australia. Wet conditions, narrow tactics, and the Brave Blossoms' courageous defense kept the match tight.

Second-Half Action and Nail-Biting Conclusion

Japan started with renewed vigor in the second period, registering through a forward to narrow the deficit to six points. The Wallabies responded soon after with Tizzano scoring close in to restore an 11-point advantage.

But, Japan struck back when Andrew Kellaway dropped a grubber, letting a winger to cross. At four points apart, the game was on a knife-edge, with the underdogs pressing for their first-ever victory against the Wallabies.

In the dying minutes, the Wallabies dug deep, winning a crucial scrum then a penalty. They held on under pressure, clinching a gritty victory that sets the squad up for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour.