Tane Edmed kicked a clutch conversion after the fulltime siren as Australia A sealed a series victory over a Japan XV in thrilling fashion in Fukuoka on Saturday.
The hosts looked to have done enough to keep the three-game series alive as they led 21-15, but hooker Richie Asiata scored a try from a last-ditch rolling maul to give the tourists hope.
Edmed then coolly nailed the extras for a 22-21 triumph and the Waratahs five-eighth was mobbed by his jubilant teammates.
Watch every match of Australia A’s tour of Japan on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand
The tour is crucial for Wallabies aspirants hoping to impress coach Dave Rennie book their ticket on the end-of-season tour of the northern hemisphere.
Edmed is locked in a battle with NSW teammate Ben Donaldson – who started the first game – to earn a squad spot.
Rennie also got more food for thought for filling the problematic fullback jersey as Jock Campbell and Tom Banks both impressed.
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Campbell, who started at No.15, scored a delightful try on the half hour mark, gliding down the blindside after linking with captain Ryan Lonergan.
“There was just so much to like about it,” All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“The way he ran, the angle he ran. The timing onto the ball but also he way he was looking at his outside support but keeping an eye at all times on the defence.
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“He wasn’t looking for it initially – he was looking to distribute. The defence ran off and he capitalised.”
Then Banks made his move after replacing Campbell for the second half.
In his first match since breaking his arm against England in July, Banks showed his class by linking with Edmed and Dylan Pietsch to score a superb long-range try.
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“He timed his pass wonderfully to Dylan Pietsch, and that’s what we want to see from a Test player,” former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison said on Stan Sport.
“When you have your coach saying I want to see you play like a Test player all the time – Tom Banks’ second touch creates an opportunity to score a try for himself.”
Rugby World Cup stars Kotaro Matsushima and Michael Leitch scored the tries for the powerful Japanese selection.
AUSTRALIA A 22 (T Banks, J Campbell, R Asiata tries; R Lonergan con, pen goal, T Edmed con) JAPAN XV 21 (K Matsushima, M Leitch tries: A Lee con, 3 pen goal)
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