The Wallabies have come away with a massive 33-point win over Japan at Nissan Stadium, scoring nine tries, three of them from Tevita Kuridrani and two from Samu Kerevi.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Japan 30
Wallabies 63
The Wallabies, after their win over the All Blacks, and last start experiment against the Barbarians, will be looking to make it three on the trot when they take on an unpredictable Japan in Yokohama on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 4:40pm AEDT.
In what will be an excellent tune-up for the World Cup being held at the same venue in two years time, the Wallabies will be keen to keep the ball rolling and kick off the end of season tour with a strong performance.
These two sides couldn’t come into this game with different form lines. The Wallabies have lost just one of their last seven matches, and, while the Barbarians game was a bit of a nothing fixture, were super impressive in the way they took the game to the world champion All-Blacks in Bledisloe 3.
Japan, at the other end of the spectrum, fell to their own country’s ‘Barbarians’ side, and have a number of injuries heading into this fixture. Indeed, both sides are missing some key personnel, however the Japanese could be on a hiding to nothing if they don’t turn up focused and ready to tackle a Wallabies outfit that grows in confidence weekly.
Bernard Foley sits out with illness, whilst Karmichael Hunt also will watch from the sidelines with a neck complaint. Lukhan Tui is still out with a hamstring strain suffered last weekend, while Jack Dempsey will be ruing the season-ending hamstring injury suffered in the dying stages of the fixture at Allianz Stadium.
Reece Hodge comes into fly half in what will be a big test for the Rebels utility, while Ned Hanigan gets another shot with the number 6 on his back. Matt Phillip debuts off the bench.
The Japanese similarly have a ragged back line starting on Saturday. Rikiya Matsuda starts at 10, whilst he’s accompanied by two flyhalfs in the centres in the form of Harumichi Tatekawa and Timothy Lafaele. Amanaki Mafi is their best by a street, the super rugby player of the year packing down at No.8.
Where the game will be won
Mongrel!
It’s not a nothing fixture by any means, but the Wallabies need to be careful not to take this game lightly. The Japanese play an unstructured brand of rugby that can be unsettling to oppositions – just ask the Springboks. If Cheika’s men turn up with the same attitude and physicality displayed in Brisbane two weeks ago, it will be a cake walk.
Prediction
The Wallabies to start slowly but turn up the heat in the last 40 minutes to run away comfortable winners over a plucky Japanese outfit.
Wallabies by 35
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:40pm AEDT.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Yeah the points against is a disappointing effort. Looked brilliant in attack though.
Daveski
Guest
Mafi had a great second half.... was one of Japan's best no arguments. Yeah just thought you'd sing his praises a bit quickly. Loved watching him since he tormented the Saffas at the last World Cup.
Drongo
Guest
Great display by the second string Wallabies. Nine great tries to three. Hodge must be permanent line and goal kicker.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
- Attacking running rugby on both sides (the flat dry surface helped) - Big hits - Great tries both teams Good game. Promising foundations for Japan to build on in the November series.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Hodge 9/9.
Daws
Guest
Disappointing to let them back in but Japan played better than the score suggested
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Match Result: A Tevita Kuridrani hat-trick has led the Wallabies to a stirring 63-30 win over a plucky Japanese outfit in Yokohama.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
81′ TRY JAPAN Jap 30 – 63 Aus Great finish by Japan, Kazuki Himeno spins out of a tackle on the Aussie try-line to score a well deserved try. Kick is good and that's the game folks.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
A lot of obstructors in the Japanese forward runners, but Ref is happy. 80 mins and can they get a 3rd try? And they get one with their #4 making mugs of the WB tacklers near the line. A Twist and Shout, I mean a twist and dive sees him go right through the WB defenders on their line. Pretty soft, not sure of the defenders are just tired or slack. That's 3 tries scored against the WB, I don't think MC will be happy about that.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
81' Jap 23 - 63 Aus Japan have a scrum after the siren 5m out.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
79′ Jap 23 – 63 Aus Sione Teaupa breaks the line again, but again knocks it on. Hodge clears to the sky and it's well cleaned up by Matsushima. He's been Japan's best today.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
79′ Jap 23 – 63 Aus Japan toe ahead in midfield with Tamura, and it dribbles into touch. Poor option with 2 on the clock.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
78′ Jap 23 – 63 Aus Penalty Japan now, another breakdown infringement. A bit sloppy from both sides to finish things.
Dodo Vita
Guest
Left to right passing should be perfected when you're 16 years old....not when you're a Wallaby.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
77′ Jap 23 – 63 Aus Penalty Wallabies as their scrum continues to stand up The backs rush in to slap their Piggies on the back - good show of team unity with 3 to play as Hodge chews 35m off with is kick.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
75mins: Oops. Coleman is coming back on to replace R.Simmons for a head knock.
Harry
Guest
While we've seen some general game play stutters from Hodge in the second half with poor passing, he does have a huge powerful boot, another plus.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Adam Coleman is off the field.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75′ Jap 23 – 63 Aus Hodge clears safely into touch, and releases some of that intense Japanese pressure.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75' Jap 23 – 63 Aus Knock on Japan over the line!! Sione Teaupa hits a great line, and has the ball over the line! Just can't hold on to it one handed and spills his lollies. Very unlucky. Australia with the 5m scrum to clear - 6 minutes to play.