Rugby Australia has confirmed the Wallabies will take on Japan in Japan next month en route to the United Kingdom for the traditional Spring Tour.
The match will take place in Oita on Saturday October 23.
It will be a big few weeks for the Brave Blossoms who will also take on Ireland.
The Wallabies-Japan game will be the first time the two sides have met since 2017 when the Wallabies trounced Japan 63-30.
“We’re really looking forward to squaring off against Japan. They showed everyone at the World Cup in 2019 that they are a top nation and can match it with the best,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.
“It’s been a really big year already for our squad with some starting back in February for Super Rugby AU so we will have to continue to manage the lads over the next month or two and into the Spring Tour in the UK,” Rennie said.
“The opportunity to play a test match on home soil, against a team the quality of Australia, is a hugely important moment for us to reconnect with our fans and the wider Japanese public, following the success of the 2019 World Cup,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said.
“The Wallabies are a strong team, with quality players throughout their squad, like Japan, they look to play an exciting brand of fast, attacking, running rugby. The match will be a great opportunity for us to play our style of rugby against a side that brings something different to the test matches we have played in recent years. Both Japan and Australia will be heading onto Europe following the match, so both teams we will be looking to make the best possible start to their upcoming tours.”
The Wallabies will travel from Oita to Edinburgh for their Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday 7 November before matches against England and Wales to close out the year.
2021 Spring Tour (all times AEDT)
Japan v Wallabies at Oita Stadium, Oita – Saturday 23 October – 2:45pm
Scotland v Wallabies at Murrayfield, Edinburgh – Sunday 7 November – 1:15am
England v Wallabies at Twickenham, London – 13 November – 4:30am
Wales v Wallabies at Principality Stadium – Saturday 20 November – 4:30am
Sinckler for the rules
Roar Rookie
Sorry stan has premiership rugby showing now but haven't advertised it anywhere on their website :silly:
Wally James
Roar Guru
Two rugby minds as one.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
How good they were RR, a pleasure to watch.
smoothy
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, I think revenue-sharing, to some degree at least, needs to become the norm - if we want smaller nations to grow! Hopefully RA are onto it, and Japan see the benefit as well. Perhaps as a sweetener - RA could return the favour, and offer Japan a 2-3 test series in Australia next season?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep and I enjoyed the Sunwolves style of rugby too.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Until recently, the All Blacks hadn't lost to Argentina. Will Hodge play 10 again vs Japan?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Japan are 15s version of Fiji 7s team. They are all about entertaining while being a tight and unified team.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Good stuff :thumbup: Plenty of reasons to regard Japan as an integral part of our rugby future (not to be selfish about it).
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Awesome Mungbean, hope that you and your family have a great time :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Same here Olly :thumbup:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Japan is bringing it in the last few years! They’ve beaten, SA, Ireland and Scotland. And are very entertaining to watch!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Wally, well said mate. The All Blacks never lost to Ireland and Argentina, well now they have and I personally think that it is great for the game. I am enjoying seeing Japan playing the top sides regularly now, an example of how far that they have come.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Sweet!!!! A 2 hour train ride from my house here in Aoshima Miyazaki! My teenage kids and wife can’t wait to head up to the game! Very excited to watch live rugby again!
JamesD
Guest
They may take a large squad and send the 'A' team directly to the UK.
JC
Roar Rookie
Strongly agree, CM. I find a competitive three-Test series so much more engaging than single games against different nations. As you say, mid-week games against club sides would be invaluable for the wider squad.
Wally James
Roar Guru
The Boks and Ireland said they had never lost to Japan once upon a time. Their losses were not a new low. Wonderful games.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Excellent news!!! Want to see more of Japan.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
True. Mind you, I'll just be glad if the dreaded Covid doesn't impact selections/matches during the tour.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Nice end of season schedule to finish the year. Shame its not an old fashioned end of year tour with mid week games. Those are the games that would be benificial to our youngsters or guys returning to the fold.