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With a daring strategy, the Wallabies rested 13 key players and named the team's most inexperienced captain in 64 years. Against the odds, this gamble proved successful, as Australia's national rugby side overcame their former coach's Japanese squad by four points in a rain-soaked the Japanese capital.

Snapping a Slide and Preserving a Perfect Record

This narrow win ends a three-game slide and maintains Australia's unblemished track record versus the Brave Blossoms intact. It also sets them up for next week's fixture to Twickenham, where the squad's first-choice XV will aim to replicate last year's dramatic win over the English side.

Schmidt's Shrewd Tactics Bring Rewards

Facing world No. 13 team, the Wallabies had much to lose following a difficult domestic campaign. Head coach the team's strategist opted to give less experienced stars their chance, fearing fatigue during a demanding five-week tour. This shrewd though daring move mirrored an earlier Australian experiment in recent years that resulted in a historic loss to Italy.

Early Struggles and Fitness Blows

Japan began with intensity, including hooker a key forward landing multiple monster tackles to rattle Australia. However, the Wallabies regained composure and improved, with their new captain scoring from close range for a 7-0 lead.

Fitness issues hit early, as locks second-rowers substituted—one with bruised ribs and stand-in Josh Canham. This required an already revamped Wallabies to adapt their pack and game plan on the fly.

Frustrating Attack and Breakthrough Try

The Wallabies applied pressure repeatedly near the Japanese line, hammering the defense with one-inch attacks yet failing to score over thirty-two phases. Following testing the middle ineffectively, they eventually went wide at the set-piece, and Hunter Paisami breaking through before assisting a teammate for a try extending the lead to eleven points.

Controversial Calls and The Opposition's Fightback

A further potential try by a flanker got disallowed on two occasions because of dubious calls, summing up a frustrating opening period for the Wallabies. Slippery weather, narrow strategies, and Japan's ferocious tackling ensured the match close.

Late Action and Tense Conclusion

The home team came out with more energy after halftime, registering via Shuhei Takeuchi to close the deficit to six points. The Wallabies responded soon after through the flanker scoring from a maul to re-establish a comfortable advantage.

But, the Brave Blossoms responded immediately after the fullback fumbled a kick, letting Ben Hunter to cross. At 19-15, the game hung in the balance, as Japan pressing for their first-ever victory against the Wallabies.

In the dying stages, the Wallabies showed character, securing a key set-piece and a penalty. They stood firm under pressure, sealing a hard-fought win which prepares the squad up for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour.