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With a daring move, Australia rested 13 key players and named the team's least seasoned skipper in over six decades. Against the odds, this gamble paid off, with Australia's national rugby side defeated ex-mentor Eddie Jones' Japanese team by four points in a rain-soaked Tokyo.

Ending a Slide and Preserving a Perfect Record

The close victory halts three-match losing streak and keeps Australia's unblemished record against the Brave Blossoms intact. Additionally, it sets them up for next week's return to Twickenham, in which the squad's first-choice lineup will aim to replicate last year's thrilling win over the English side.

The Coach's Shrewd Tactics Bring Rewards

Up against the 13th-ranked team, the Wallabies had a lot to lose after a challenging domestic campaign. Coach Joe Schmidt chose to give less experienced players their chance, concerned about tiredness during a grueling five-Test road trip. The canny yet risky approach mirrored an earlier Wallabies experiment in recent years that ended in a historic defeat to Italy.

First-Half Struggles and Injury Blows

Japan began strongly, with front-rower Hayate Era delivering multiple big tackles to rattle the visitors. But, the Wallabies steadied and improved, as their new captain scoring from close range for a 7-0 advantage.

Injuries hit in the opening period, as two locks substituted—one with bruised ribs and stand-in the other with concussion. The situation forced an already revamped Wallabies to adapt their forward lineup and game plan mid-match.

Challenging Attack and Key Score

The Wallabies pressed for long spells on the Japanese line, pounding the defensive wall via one-inch punches but failing to break through for 32 phases. Following testing central channels without success, the team eventually went wide from a scrum, with a center slicing the line and assisting a teammate for a try that made it 14-3.

Debatable Decisions and Japan's Resilience

Another apparent try by Carlo Tizzano got disallowed twice because of questionable rulings, summing up a frustrating first half experienced by the Wallabies. Slippery weather, limited strategies, and the Brave Blossoms' courageous tackling kept the match tight.

Late Drama and Nail-Biting Finish

The home team started with renewed vigor in the second period, scoring via Shuhei Takeuchi to close the gap to 14-8. Australia responded quickly with the flanker scoring close in to re-establish a comfortable lead.

But, the Brave Blossoms struck back after the fullback fumbled a kick, allowing Ben Hunter to cross. At four points apart, the game hung on a knife-edge, as Japan pushing for their first-ever win over Australia.

In the dying minutes, the Wallabies dug deep, winning a key scrum and a infringement. They held on in the face of a storm, sealing a hard-fought win which sets the squad well for their European fixtures.