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With a daring strategy, the Wallabies benched 13 key players and named their most inexperienced skipper in over six decades. Despite the risks, this high-stakes decision paid off, as the Wallabies defeated ex-mentor Eddie Jones' Japan team 19-15 in a rain-soaked the Japanese capital.

Snapping a Losing Streak and Preserving a Unbeaten Run

This narrow win halts three-match slide and maintains the Wallabies' perfect track record against Japan intact. It also prepares the team for next week's return to Twickenham, in which their top lineup will strive to repeat last year's dramatic triumph over England.

The Coach's Canny Strategy Pay Off

Up against world No. 13 team, Australia had a lot on the line following a difficult domestic campaign. Head coach Joe Schmidt opted to hand younger players their chance, fearing fatigue over a demanding five-week road trip. This canny yet risky move mirrored a previous Wallabies experiment in 2022 that resulted in an unprecedented defeat to the Italian side.

Early Struggles and Injury Setbacks

The home side began with intensity, including hooker Hayate Era delivering multiple big tackles to unsettle Australia. However, the Wallabies steadied and improved, with Nick Champion de Crespigny scoring from close range for an early advantage.

Fitness issues struck in the opening period, with locks second-rowers forced off—one with bruised ribs and stand-in Josh Canham. This forced an already reshuffled side to adjust the team's forward lineup and game plan mid-match.

Challenging Attack and Key Try

Australia applied pressure for long spells near the Japanese line, pounding the defense via one-inch punches yet unable to score over 32 rucks. Following probing the middle ineffectively, the team eventually spread the ball from a scrum, and a center breaking the line before assisting a teammate for a try extending the lead to 14-3.

Controversial Calls and The Opposition's Fightback

A further potential score from Carlo Tizzano was denied twice because of dubious rulings, highlighting an aggravating opening period for the Wallabies. Slippery weather, narrow strategies, and Japan's ferocious defense ensured the match tight.

Late Action and Tense Conclusion

The home team came out with renewed energy after halftime, registering through Shuhei Takeuchi to narrow the deficit to 14-8. The Wallabies hit back quickly with Tizzano scoring from a maul to re-establish an 11-point advantage.

But, Japan struck back when the fullback dropped a grubber, allowing a winger to score. At 19-15, the game was on a knife-edge, with Japan pressing for a historic victory against the Wallabies.

During the dying stages, the Wallabies showed character, securing a key set-piece and a penalty. They held on in the face of a storm, clinching a gritty win which sets them well for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere fixtures.