The Wallabies have given fans an almighty fright, nearly being clawed back by a surging Brave Blossoms - but have done enough to scrape out a 19-15 win in Tokyo.
The visitors controlled the game for most of the first half, thanks to a near-perfect performance from new captain Nick Champion de Crespigny, with Hunter Paisami and Jake Gordon also excelling.
Watch every second of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Tries to Josh Flook and de Crespigny saw the visitors take a two-try lead, but injuries cruelled the side as Lukhan Salakia-Loto and Josh Canham left the field, seeing the lock stocks hammered.
However, they could have been even further ahead, with Carlo Tizzano denied three times over the chalk.
Japan flipped the switch in the second half, with tries to Ben Gunter and Shuhei Takeuchi setting up a grandstand finish and the Wallabies were forced to play some big minutes.
However, an eventual try to Tizzano and a crucial penalty to Hamish Stewart in the final two minutes proved enough to see the visitors get out of gaol and deny Eddie Jones another win over his homeland.
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80' JPN 15 AUS 19 The Wallabies are in reverse as they look to wind it down. The clock is red. They've done enough, and kick it out. The Wallabies hold on!
79' JPN 15 AUS 19 Critical penalty for the Wallabies! Hamish Stewart comes up with the goods. Wallabies maul it as they look to try and wind it down.
77' JPN 15 AUS 19 Japan threatens again, making their way into the 22 as they cross phase 11 - but it goes into touch. Wallaby lineout, which they win and clear. Japan win the lineout but the Wallabies make a mess of it, but knock it on.
72' JPN 15 AUS 19 The Japanese are now dishing out the pain, with Robertson struggling to get back up and going off for a HIA. Nonggorr comes back on. Japan attacks well but knocks it on as we head into the final ten minutes. Both sides empty the bench.
68' JPN 15 AUS 19 Japan have a spring in their step now, and nearly link up to take the lead with the ball knocked on. Wallabies scrum on their side of the halfway line. Wallabies go high and Japan knock it on as Leitch departs the field.
62' JPN 15 AUS 19 - TRY+CONVERSION: Ben Gunter - After several months' wait, Aiden Ross makes his debut, becoming the fifth player to represent both the Wallabies and All Blacks. Japan attacks well, and the Wallabies concede a knock-on in their 22. Japan attacks well, and Gunter scores! Japan is back in it.
58' JPN 8 AUS 19 - TRY: Carlo Tizzano Wallabies go back up the guts and earn an advantage. They get up to the 5m, and the ref brings it back. The Wallabies go to the corner, maul it, and score! Finally, Tizzano is on the board, fourth time lucky. Edmed moves it to the right.
55' JPN 8 AUS 14 - TRY: Shuhei Takeuchi - Wallabies concede a scrum penalty and the Blossoms go to the corner, critical passage here as Billy Pollard comes on. Japan tries a few moves, and on the fourth try, they finally get over as Shuhei Takeuchi scores. Conversion missed.
50' JPN 3 AUS 14 The Japanese pounce on a Wallaby and nearly go the length before Edmed tidies up and is pushed into touch. Wallabies pinch the lineout and clear out of danger. Japan attacks again, better this time! 14 phases, and then… BOOM! Huge hit from Champion de Crespigny! Japan loses the ball and the Wallabies clear again.
45' JPN 3 AUS 14 Wallabies look very dangerous, but knock it on early, as Keijiro Tamefusa comes on due to a front row injury. Japan attempts an aerial kick but knock it on, Wallabies scrum - and they win a penalty and kick it deep into Blossom territory.
40' JPN 3 AUS 14 The teams are back out on the field, the ref blows his whistle, and we are underway as the rain comes down hard in Tokyo.
40'+2 JPN 3 AUS 14 Japan attack well as we head into the final minute. 12 phases and climbing as the clock goes red. However, Tizzano manages a vital steal and Paisami kicks it out. That's halftime.
38' JPN 3 AUS 14 Third time lucky for the Force loose forward? Tizzano gets over the line, but the TMO pulls it up for obstruction. Tizzano is denied a third time. Japan survive and clear as we head into the closing stages of the half.
36' JPN 3 AUS 14 - YELLOW CARD: Shuhei Takeuchi - Japan concede a penalty for playing on the ground after a scrappy five minutes, Wallabies go to the corner. They attack well but Tizzano is held up over the line! Another yellow card for Shuhei Takeuchi for incorrectly sacking the maul. Wait, we're going upstairs… and it's no try.
30' JPN 3 AUS 14 - TRY+CONVERSION: Josh Flook - and just like that, the Wallabies strike back through a slick backline move from Paisami and Kellaway, with Flook scoring under the sticks. Crucial try in the last ten minutes.
29' JPN 3 AUS 7 - PENALTY: Seungsin Lee - Japan look threatening after a few passages in Aussie territory, but the Wallabies survive and force a knock on. They win the scrum and clear, but the Japanese attack well and win a penalty. They point to the sticks, and Lee nails it.
22' JPN 0 AUS 7 Wallabies tap and go, and then try to go wide… but the Blossoms shut it down and earn a penalty. Brave defense! The Wallabies get it back off the lineout and go again, but Canham has been knocked out cold! Another lock is gone for the Wallabies, as Harry Wilson comes onto the field.
19' JPN 0 AUS 7 - YELLOW CARD: Charlie Lawrence - Japan are punished for a croc roll and the Wallabies attack again, and look dangerous. They make it up to the Japan line… 14 phases, and the Wallabies go to the big men. We have a penalty, a high tackle, and Charlie Lawrence is in the bin!
14' JPN 0 AUS 7 - TRY+CONVERSION: Nick Champion de Crespigny - Wallabies botch the lineout, then concede a penalty for a high tackle. Japan attempt the lineout but lose it, with Gordon bundled into touch. The Blossoms win the lineout but botch the maul, and Japan find themselves on their own line and concede a penalty. Wallabies tap and go, and the captain scores! Edmed converts.
10' JPN 0 AUS 0 The Wallabies win a turnover and go on the attack. Salakia-Loto has been forced from the field in the seventh minute, with Canham coming on. Gordon goes to the air, Japan regather and clear. Jack Cornelsen has been forced from the field with a HIA, and the Wallabies earn a penalty on the attack for Japan not releasing the player.
5' JPN 0 AUS 0 A seesawing start with the Wallabies looking imposing, but Japan wins a penalty for holding on. Lineout won and the Blossoms attack, but the Wallabies shut it down and knock it on. Salakia-Loto looks sore but is playing on.
0' JPN 0 AUS 0 Ben O'Keefe blows his whistle, and we are underway!
Tries: Takeuchi, Gunter
Cons: Lee 1/2
Pens: Lee 1/1
Cards: 19' - Charlie Lawrence (Yellow), 36' - Shuhei Takeuchi (Yellow)
Tries: Champion de Crespigny, Flook, Tizzano
Cons: Edmed 2/3
Pens:
KO T-MIN 5: Both sides head out to a raptuous reception, the anthems sung, and we are ready to go!
KO T-MIN 30: Training is over, and the Wallabies and Japan get ready to take the field. It's time to play!
KO T-MIN 60: Conditions in Tokyo are humid and rainy with a light wind, with the temperature a balmy 13 degrees Celsius at the National Stadium in Shinjuku. A large crowd is be expected, which should make for a fascinating afternoon of rugby in the Japanese capital.
KO T-MIN 90: Welcome to our live coverage as the Wallabies face Eddie Jones' Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
The match marks the first of the Wallabies' five-Test overseas trip, heading to Europe to face England, Italy, Ireland and France.
Japan will have a similarly packed schedule, with them also heading to Europe to play South Africa, Ireland, Wales and Georgia.
The Wallabies have made a flurry of changes, but come into the match having never lost to the Brave Blossoms, with the sides having played on six previous occasions, the most recent of which in 2021.
Joe Schmidt's need to maintain that record if they hope to finish the 2025 season in the top six of the world rankings, with 2027 World Cup calculations under consideration.
Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch; Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon; Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny (capt); Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams; Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu
Japan (15-1): Yoshitaka Yazaki, Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Tomoki Osada, Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara, Michael Leitch, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns, Jack Cornelsen, Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Kenta Kobayashi
Replacements: Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul, Tiennan Costley, Kenta Fukuda, Charlie Lawrence, Sam Greene.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey (NZR) & Morgan White (HKCR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FRPO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
The Wallabies' clash with Japan will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 4:15 pm (AEDT), with kick-off slated for 4:50 pm
The game will not be shown on free-to-air TV, not covered under the anti-siphoning laws.
