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With a daring move, Australia rested 13 key players and appointed their most inexperienced skipper in over six decades. Against the odds, this gamble paid off, with the Wallabies overcame their former coach's Japanese squad by four points in wet and windy Tokyo.

Snapping a Slide and Preserving a Perfect Record

This narrow victory ends three-match slide and maintains Australia's unblemished track record versus the Brave Blossoms unbroken. It also prepares the team for next week's fixture to Twickenham, in which their top lineup will aim to repeat previous dramatic triumph over England.

The Coach's Shrewd Strategy Pay Off

Facing the 13th-ranked team, the Wallabies had a lot on the line after a difficult home season. Coach the team's strategist chose to hand younger stars their chance, concerned about tiredness over a grueling five-Test road trip. The shrewd though daring approach mirrored an earlier Australian experiment in recent years that ended in a historic defeat to Italy.

Early Struggles and Injury Blows

The home side started with intensity, with hooker a key forward landing multiple big tackles to rattle Australia. However, the Australian team steadied and improved, as Nick Champion de Crespigny crossing near the line for a 7-0 lead.

Injuries hit early, as locks second-rowers forced off—Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and stand-in the other with concussion. This forced an already revamped side to adjust their forward lineup and tactics on the fly.

Challenging Offense and Breakthrough Try

The Wallabies applied pressure repeatedly near the Japanese line, pounding the defensive wall via one-inch punches yet unable to break through over thirty-two phases. Following probing central channels without success, the team finally spread the ball from a scrum, with Hunter Paisami slicing the line and setting up a teammate for a try extending the lead to 14-3.

Debatable Decisions and The Opposition's Resilience

A further apparent try from a flanker was disallowed twice because of dubious calls, summing up an aggravating first half for the Wallabies. Wet weather, narrow strategies, and Japan's courageous defense kept the match tight.

Late Drama and Nail-Biting Conclusion

Japan started with more vigor after halftime, scoring via a forward to narrow the gap to 14-8. Australia responded quickly through Tizzano powering over from a maul to restore a comfortable lead.

But, the Brave Blossoms responded immediately when the fullback fumbled a kick, letting a winger to cross. At 19-15, the match was on a knife-edge, with Japan pressing for their first-ever win over Australia.

During the dying stages, Australia showed character, winning a key scrum then a infringement. They held on in the face of a storm, sealing a hard-fought victory which sets them up for the upcoming European tour.