Wallabies battle injuries as they edge past Japan 19-15
Australia survived a nervy 19-15 victory over Japan on Saturday but saw their injury worries mount ahead of a European tour.
Locks Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham both left the field early, forcing coach Joe Schmidt to consider calling up reinforcements from home before facing England, Italy, Ireland, and France.
“It just means we are light in the second row and may need to get some reserves dug out from Australia,” Schmidt said.
Despite an unfamiliar line-up with 13 changes and a new captain in Nick Champion de Crespigny, who scored the opening try, the Wallabies held off a second-half comeback by the hosts. Tries from Shuhei Takeuchi and Ben Gunter brought Japan close, but Australia’s defense held firm in wet conditions.
Schmidt praised his team’s resilience under difficult conditions while noting that lineup adjustments will be necessary for their next match at Twickenham.
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