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With a daring strategy, Australia benched a dozen-plus stars and named the team's most inexperienced captain in 64 years. Against the odds, this high-stakes decision paid off, as the Wallabies defeated their former coach's Japan squad 19-15 in wet and windy the Japanese capital.

Ending a Losing Streak and Preserving a Perfect Record

The close win halts three-match slide and maintains Australia's perfect track record versus Japan intact. It also prepares the team for next week's return to rugby's hallowed ground, in which the squad's top lineup will aim to replicate previous dramatic triumph over the English side.

Schmidt's Shrewd Strategy Bring Rewards

Up against the 13th-ranked team, the Wallabies faced much on the line after a challenging home season. Head coach the team's strategist opted to give younger players their chance, concerned about tiredness during a demanding five-week road trip. The shrewd though daring move echoed an earlier Wallabies experiment in recent years that ended in an unprecedented defeat to Italy.

First-Half Challenges and Injury Blows

Japan began with intensity, including front-rower a key forward landing multiple big hits to unsettle the visitors. However, the Wallabies regained composure and sharpened, as Nick Champion de Crespigny scoring near the line for a 7-0 lead.

Fitness issues hit early, with locks second-rowers substituted—one with bruised ribs and stand-in Josh Canham. This required the already revamped Wallabies to adjust the team's forward lineup and game plan mid-match.

Frustrating Attack and Breakthrough Score

Australia applied pressure repeatedly near their opponents' try-line, hammering the defense with one-inch punches yet unable to break through over thirty-two rucks. After testing the middle ineffectively, they finally went wide from a scrum, and a center slicing through before assisting a teammate for a score that made it 14-3.

Debatable Decisions and The Opposition's Fightback

Another apparent score by a flanker got disallowed twice because of dubious rulings, highlighting an aggravating opening period for the Wallabies. Wet weather, limited tactics, and the Brave Blossoms' courageous defense kept the contest tight.

Second-Half Action and Nail-Biting Conclusion

Japan started with renewed energy in the second period, scoring via Shuhei Takeuchi to close the deficit to 14-8. Australia hit back soon after through Tizzano powering over from a maul to restore a comfortable advantage.

However, the Brave Blossoms responded immediately after Andrew Kellaway fumbled a kick, letting a winger to score. At four points apart, the match hung on a knife-edge, with the underdogs pressing for a historic win over Australia.

In the final stages, Australia showed character, securing a key scrum then a infringement. The team held on under pressure, sealing a gritty victory which sets the squad well for their Northern Hemisphere fixtures.