The Wallabies have made 13 changes to the side that played the All Blacks in Perth - and with new combinations set to be tested against Japan, Joe Schmidt knows it comes with a lot of risk.
However, speaking to reporters in Tokyo, the head coach believes his side will be able to contain the threats of Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms.
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Among the changes are a new front row combination, new locks, and a new captain in Nick Champion de Crespigny - but Schmidt, who signposted mass changes last week, made it clear as to the reasons for the shift.
“We have already had ten Test matches, three against a big team like the British and Irish Lions, the Rugby Championship, who are very physical,” Schmidt said.
“There is a degree of fatigue. We only had a nine-day break after the Rugby Championship before we came together to get ready to travel here.
“I think it's just around energy management as much as anything.
“I think with five test matches in five weeks coming up on the back of a pretty intense Rugby Championship where we were in the mix right until the finish of every one of those six games, and then three British & Irish Lions tests before that, I think it's just trying to get everyone to the finish line.
“I know last year, by the time we got to the second half of the Irish test match, players were willing, but energy levels were just starting to taper a little bit.
“Part of the job of the coaching staff is to manage risk as best we can. If we don't give opportunity to the squad, then I think we start to lose that energy toward the end of a five-test window.
“Particularly when you're traveling such long distances and jumping time zones, fatigue becomes pretty apparent within two or three weeks, let alone five consecutive weeks, let alone on the back of ten test matches that we've had already.”
Despite their current world ranking of 14th, Eddie Jones’ Japan has seen improvement since their 2024 season, defeating Wales and finishing second in the Pacific Nations Cup, going down in the final to Fiji 33-27.
Schmidt believes the combinations and choice of leadership group should be strategic enough to maintain cohesion and shut down the Japanese threats.
“We have massive respect for Japan,” Schmidt emphasised.
“They've come very close to beating teams and have beaten big teams. Bigger teams than us in the past.
“I think there's definitely a risk… [but] we're looking to get everyone through to the finish line.
“[Centre combination] Hunter and Josh Flook have played a lot in the Queensland Reds. So that combination is pretty well ensconced… Jake Gordon and Tony Edmed played for the Waratahs and have played a couple of tests together.
“Nick [Champion de Crespigny] has been with us consistently week to week throughout. He's had recent leadership experience. He's part of our leadership team, and he'll be well supported by Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who will be looking after the lineout.
“It's more around where they sit in the group. And if they're part of the leadership group, then it does dovetail into leading the team on a test weekend more than just appointing someone from outside the leadership group.”
