"Australia tempted the onryo, resting 13 stars and appointing the most inexperienced captain in 64 years. But the high-risk move paid off, as the Wallabies exorcised the demons of the Eddie Jones era and got their spring tour off to a winning start, defeating their former coach's Japan side 19-15 victory in a rainswept Tokyo. The narrow win snaps a three-game losing streak, preserves Australia's perfect record over Japan intact and primes the Wallabies for a return next week to Twickenham, the home of rugby, where their frontline XV will try to reprise the last-gasp heroics that secured a famous 42-37 win over England in November."
"Up against the world No 13, Australia had plenty to lose after a torrid home season. And yet, fearing fatigue over a tough five week, five Test tour, coach Joe Schmidt had given his younger stars the stage. It was a canny tactic loaded with risk. The last time a Wallabies coach had attempted such a stress-release was in 2022 when Dave Rennie played a second XV and lost to Italy for the first time in history. Rennie, now coaching Japan's Kobe Steelers, was in the stands to watch his former proteges."
"After concentrated pressure, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Australia's least experienced captain since 1961, scored from short range in his third Test for 7-0. Australia lost two locks to injury in the first 20 minutes, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto taken off early with bruised ribs and his replacement, Josh Canham, then sidelined with concussion. It forced the already heavily revamped Wallabies to reshuffle their pack and rejig tactics on the run."
Australia rested 13 regulars and appointed Nick Champion de Crespigny, the nation's least experienced captain since 1961. The Wallabies defeated Japan 19-15 in a rainswept Tokyo, snapping a three-game losing streak and preserving Australia's perfect record over Japan. Coach Joe Schmidt rotated the squad to avoid fatigue ahead of a five-week, five-Test tour and to prepare for a return to Twickenham next week. Japan started strongly with hooker Hayate Era delivering big hits and used clever kicks and blitz tackling. Australia lost two locks early—Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (bruised ribs) and Josh Canham (concussion)—forcing reshuffles. Charlie Lawrence received a yellow card during Japan's pressure phases.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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