The Wallabies have survived a massive scare from Japan, beginning their Spring Tour with a 19-15 win in Tokyo.
The Aussies were forced to dig deep as the Brave Blossoms threw everything at the visitors late in the pouring rain.
It came amid several denied tries to Carlo Tizzano and a pair of injuries to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham.
Japan coach Eddie Jones nearly came up with the victory in his first match against his old side as they had momentum in the second half.
In the end, there was enough class in the rotated Wallaby side to secure the win, with Tizzano, Hunter Paisami and Jake Gordon among their best.
New captain Nick Champion de Crespigny celebrated his appointment with the opening try after crashing over from close, with the back-rower rising to the responsibility.
However, he found himself packing down in the second-row when Salakaia-Loto (rib) and his replacement Canham (concussion) headed off the field within the first 22 minutes of the game.
The Wallabies’ pressure was relentless early as several offside penalty advantages against the hosts led to Japan centre Charlie Lawrence sitting for ten.
The Brave Blossoms survived waves of attack, and a penalty to Seungsin Lee got them on the board.
With Lawrence still in the bin, a lovely set play from the scrum saw Andrew Kellaway slice through the middle and set up Josh Flook for his debut Test try.
As soon as Japan got back to full numbers, they were back down to 14 - this time, Shuhei Takeuchi, for collapsing an unstoppable maul.
Carlo Tizzano was denied twice within a minute, with the second effort brought back for obstruction as the Australians set up the rolling maul, leaving the scoreline at 14-3 at the break.
Japan weathered the literal and metaphorical storm in the second half and hit back when Takeuchi burst over from close, lifting their spirit and energy.
This was quickly answered by the visitors as Tizzano finally found the line on his fourth attempt, only for Aussie-born Ben Gunter to hit straight back.
The hosts kept pressing the Australians in the search for their maiden win over the Wallabies.
Kippei Ishida broke clear with ten to go, forcing some desperate defence from the visitors.
They had a scrum close to halfway, with replacement Hamish Stewart and the excellent Paisami producing the turnover with two minutes left that allowed the Wallabies to close out the game and close out the win.
The Australians head to Europe, set to face England next weekend in Twickenham.
Source : rugby.com.au
