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With a daring move, the Wallabies benched a dozen-plus stars and named the team's least seasoned captain in 64 years. Against the odds, this gamble paid off, with Australia's national rugby side overcame their former coach's Japanese team by four points in wet and windy Tokyo.

Snapping a Losing Streak and Preserving a Perfect Record

The close victory ends a three-game slide and maintains the Wallabies' unblemished record versus Japan intact. Additionally, it sets them up for the upcoming fixture to Twickenham, in which their top lineup will aim to replicate last year's thrilling triumph over the English side.

Schmidt's Shrewd Strategy Pay Off

Facing world No. 13 team, the Wallabies faced much to lose following a difficult home season. Coach Joe Schmidt opted to give less experienced players an opportunity, fearing tiredness during a grueling five-week road trip. The shrewd yet risky approach mirrored a previous Wallabies experiment in 2022 that ended in a historic defeat to the Italian side.

First-Half Challenges and Fitness Setbacks

Japan started strongly, with hooker a key forward landing multiple big hits to rattle Australia. But, the Wallabies regained composure and improved, as Nick Champion de Crespigny scoring near the line for an early advantage.

Fitness issues struck in the opening period, as locks locks substituted—one with bruised ribs and stand-in Josh Canham. This required an already reshuffled Wallabies to adjust the team's pack and tactics on the fly.

Frustrating Attack and Breakthrough Try

Australia applied pressure repeatedly near the Japanese try-line, hammering the defense via short-range punches but failing to score for 32 rucks. After testing the middle without success, the team eventually went wide at the set-piece, and a center slicing the line and setting up a teammate for a score that made it eleven points.

Controversial Decisions and Japan's Resilience

Another apparent try by Carlo Tizzano was disallowed on two occasions due to questionable rulings, summing up a frustrating opening period experienced by the Wallabies. Wet conditions, limited strategies, and the Brave Blossoms' ferocious tackling kept the match tight.

Late Drama and Nail-Biting Finish

The home team came out with more vigor in the second period, registering through Shuhei Takeuchi to close the deficit to six points. The Wallabies hit back soon after through Tizzano powering over close in to re-establish a comfortable lead.

But, the Brave Blossoms struck back when Andrew Kellaway fumbled a kick, allowing Ben Hunter to cross. With the score four points apart, the match hung in the balance, as the underdogs pressing for their first-ever victory over the Wallabies.

During the dying stages, Australia showed character, securing a crucial scrum and a penalty. The team held on in the face of a storm, sealing a hard-fought victory which prepares them well for the upcoming European fixtures.