Japan are planning to target rookie Wallabies five-eighth Reece Hodge as the underdogs look to break through for their first win against Australia in Saturday's Test in Yokohama.
The Australians have won all four previous meetings between the two teams - the last a 91-3 demolition job during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
With regular playmaker Bernard Foley sidelined through illness, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika pulled a shock selection move naming Hodge, who has never even started at No.10 with the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby, and has played on Australia's wing this year.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph said he was "surprised" by Hodge, who last started at five-eighth in the Australia under-20s in 2014, getting the nod.
"He's a very good player but it's a new position for him," New Zealand-born Joseph said.
"Obviously 'Cheik' and the coaching team see he's got great potential but a Test match is a Test match and we'll be putting pressure on him to see how he goes."
Hodge may get quickly reacquainted with his Rebels teammate, back-rower Amanaki Mafi, who was a revelation this season winning the Australian conference's Super Rugby player of the year award.
The hard-running Mafi didn't play in Japan's loss to the World XV last weekend but is expected to be a handful for the Wallabies at the International Stadium.
Japan captain Michael Leitch, who plays alongside Mafi in the back row, said he'd seen the growth in the 27-year-old following his stint in Australia.
"We knew he had the potential and to see him do so well with the Rebels was great for him and great for Japan," Leitch said.
"Having that experience in Australia, he's helped the team immensely in preparation with how the Australians think and how they're going to approach this game so his involvement this week has been excellent."
