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Tom Banks returns to help Australia A to thrilling win over Japan
By AAP
Wallabies fullback Tom Banks has made a successful return from a sickening arm injury as Australia A claimed a last-gasp 22-21 win over a Japan XV in Fukuoka.
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Banks played 40 minutes and scored a try on Saturday as the tourists made it two wins from two games against the Japan XV containing many Test players.
It was his first match since suffering a badly broken arm in a fall during an aerial contest in the first Test against England in Perth three months ago.
The Australians left it late to claim victory with flyhalf Tane Edmed slotting an angled conversion with time up at Best Denki Stadium.
Down 21-15 with time running out, hooker Richie Asiata had shunted over for a try from a rolling maul drive.
Banks did everything required to prove his readiness for a potential return to the Wallabies squad ahead of the upcoming European tour, as did starting fullback Jock Campbell who played the opening 40 minutes and also bagged a try.
Banks was on the field for just three minutes when he burst onto a crisp wide pass from Edmed 65 metres out, before linking with winger Dylan Pietsch.
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Pietsch then passed back to Banks who displayed some neat footwork to shrug off the cover defence for an impressive try and a 15-8 lead.
The Australians fought back twice during the game. They clawed back to 10-8 at half-time after being down 8-0 after as many minutes.
