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With a daring move, the Wallabies benched a dozen-plus stars and appointed the team's most inexperienced captain in over six decades. Against the odds, this gamble paid off, with Australia's national rugby side overcame their former coach's Japan team by four points in wet and windy Tokyo.

Snapping a Losing Streak and Maintaining a Perfect Record

This narrow win ends a three-game losing streak and maintains the Wallabies' unblemished record versus the Brave Blossoms unbroken. It also prepares the team for the upcoming fixture to Twickenham, in which the squad's first-choice XV will strive to replicate previous thrilling win over England.

The Coach's Canny Tactics Pay Off

Up against the 13th-ranked Japan, Australia faced a lot on the line after a challenging home season. Coach the team's strategist chose to give less experienced stars their chance, concerned about fatigue over a grueling five-week road trip. The canny yet risky move mirrored an earlier Australian experiment in recent years that resulted in a historic defeat to the Italian side.

First-Half Challenges and Fitness Blows

The home side started strongly, with hooker Hayate Era landing multiple big hits to unsettle the visitors. However, the Wallabies steadied and sharpened, as Nick Champion de Crespigny scoring from close range for an early lead.

Fitness issues struck in the opening period, with locks locks substituted—one with bruised ribs and stand-in the other with concussion. This required the already revamped side to adapt the team's pack and tactics on the fly.

Challenging Offense and Key Try

Australia pressed for long spells near the Japanese line, hammering the defense via one-inch attacks but unable to score over 32 phases. Following probing central channels without success, they eventually went wide at the set-piece, and a center slicing through before setting up Josh Flook for a score extending the lead to eleven points.

Controversial Decisions and Japan's Fightback

A further apparent score by Carlo Tizzano got denied on two occasions due to dubious rulings, summing up a frustrating opening period experienced by Australia. Slippery conditions, limited strategies, and the Brave Blossoms' ferocious tackling kept the contest close.

Late Action and Nail-Biting Finish

The home team started with more vigor after halftime, registering through a forward to narrow the gap to six points. The Wallabies hit back quickly with the flanker scoring from a maul to restore a comfortable advantage.

However, Japan responded immediately when the fullback fumbled a grubber, letting Ben Hunter to score. At 19-15, the game was in the balance, as the underdogs pressing for a historic victory against Australia.

During the dying stages, the Wallabies dug deep, securing a key scrum and a infringement. The team stood firm in the face of a storm, sealing a gritty win which prepares them well for their European tour.