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In a wet and wild test in Tokyo, the Wallabies were able to edge past a tenacious Japan and exorcise some demons from their 2023 World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones. The Wallabies were forced to make 13 changes to the match-day team to manage injuries and the massive workload of their top-line players.
Takeuchi (51'), Gunter (60')
Tries
Crespigny (12'), Flook (29'), Tizzano (56')
Lee (61')
Conversions
Edmed (13', 29')
Lee (26')
Penalties
In a wet and wild test in Tokyo, the Wallabies were able to edge past a tenacious Japan and exorcise some demons from their 2023 World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones. The Wallabies were forced to make 13 changes to the match-day team to manage injuries and the massive workload of their top-line players.
It’s a testament to this group’s newfound belief and grit that they were able to hold off a fast-finishing Japan and close out the game with some sound game management from their leaders on the field. Banking a win in this game was an important marker in the Wallabies’ campaign as they set off for England.
Wallabies Can Win the Hard Way
In years gone by, this test had all the potential for a narrow loss that would have raised questions about the team’s ability to win ugly. Coming into this game against Japan, the situation was eerily similar to the test against Italy that ultimately sealed Dave Rennie’s fate. The decision to overhaul the team was a big risk. Now it seems the Wallabies have captured that hard edge and the ability to control the tempo of the game.
We’ve seen signs of it this year, the Wallabies have been able to fight their way back into contests, and now they’re turning narrow losses into wins.
Unearthing Diamonds in the Rough
This Japan test was the golden opportunity to test the depth of the Wallabies squad. Most of the players in the line-up have been with the squad all year, holding tackle pads. The players were champing at the bit to get their go in gold, and many stood up in trying conditions.
Newly minted captain Nick Champion de Crespigny stood out as an enforcer. He was forced to shift to the second row after injury struck early in the first half and showed leadership by rolling up his sleeves and sticking his head in dark places.
Carlo Tizzano’s monumental shift means he is once again banging down Fraser McReight’s door in a bid to wrestle the hallowed Wallabies No.7 jersey off the Reds flanker. Jake Gordon also showed his experience, guiding the team around the park in difficult conditions. Hunter Paisami’s return to the No.12 jersey was an assured performance that will put him back in the mix.
All in all, the players will be better for the run, and Schmidt is building strong squad depth without sacrificing wins.
Wallabies Need to Fire in the Autumn Nations Series
Schmidt needs wins to make 2025 a successful campaign for the Wallabies. They have a gruelling schedule ahead with tests against England, Italy, Ireland and France. They need at least two wins from this tour to help their win rate and move up the rankings. For all the momentum the Wallabies have now, they still need to prove they can match it with the best teams in the world.
With their star players having a week to rest their battered bodies — and a chance to repeat their Twickenham heroics from last year — the Wallabies should be right up for this test against England. It will be their best chance to claim a big win against a side ranked higher than them.
But while England will have the luxury of picking a full complement as the Premiership goes on hiatus, the Wallabies will be missing their European-based stars in James O’Connor, Will Skelton, Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper. If Joe Schmidt wants to roll out a similar team to the one that beat England last year, there will be players from the Japan test who need to fill the gaps — and top of that list is Paisami at inside centre.
