The Wallabies will be hungry for victory as they take on Japan in Tokyo.
It will be the first time they face old coach Eddie Jones since he took over as the coach of the Brave Blossoms.
Watch every second of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Australia has never been beaten by the Japanese, with coach Joe Schmidt making a raft of changes.
This includes the selection of Nick Champion de Crespigny as captain, becoming the 92nd player to do so.
Aidan Ross is also in line for his Wallabies debut, becoming the fifth player to feature for the All Blacks and Wallabies.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
HALFTIME: BRAVE BLOSSOMS 3 WALLABIES 14
40’+2 JPN 3 AUS 14 Japan attack well as we head into the final minute. 12 phases and climbing as the clock goes red. However, Tizzano manages a vital steal and Paisami kicks it out. That’s halftime.
38′ JPN 3 AUS 14 Third time lucky for the Force loose forward? Tizzano gets over the line, but the TMO pulls it up for obstruction. Tizzano is denied a third time. Japan survive and clear as we head into the closing stages of the half.
36′ JPN 3 AUS 14 – YELLOW CARD: Shuhei Takeuchi – Japan concede a penalty for playing on the ground after a scrappy five minutes, Wallabies go to the corner. They attack well but Tizzano is held up over the line! Another yellow card for Shuhei Takeuchi for incorrectly sacking the maul. Wait, we’re going upstairs… and it’s no try.
30′ JPN 3 AUS 14 – TRY: Josh Flook – and just like that, the Wallabies strike back through a slick backline move from Paisami and Kellaway, with Flook scoring under the sticks. Crucial try in the last ten minutes.
29′ JPN 3 AUS 7 – PENALTY: Seungsin Lee – Japan look threatening after a few passages in Aussie territory, but the Wallabies survive and force a knock on. They win the scrum and clear, but the Japanese attack well and win a penalty. They point to the sticks, and Lee nails it.
22′ JPN 0 AUS 7 Wallabies tap and go, and then try to go wide… but the Blossoms shut it down and earn a penalty. Brave defense! The Wallabies get it back off the lineout and go again, but Canham has been knocked out cold! Another lock is gone for the Wallabies, as Harry Wilson comes onto the field.
19′ JPN 0 AUS 7 – YELLOW CARD: Charlie Lawrence – Japan are punished for a croc roll and the Wallabies attack again, and look dangerous. They make it up to the Japan line… 14 phases, and the Wallabies go to the big men. We have a penalty, a high tackle, and Charlie Lawrence is in the bin!
14′ JPN 0 AUS 7 – TRY: Nick Champion de Crespigny – Wallabies botch the lineout, then concede a penalty for a high tackle. Japan attempt the lineout but lose it, with Gordon bundled into touch. The Blossoms win the lineout but botch the maul, and Japan find themselves on their own line and concede a penalty. Wallabies tap and go, and the captain scores! Edmed converts.
10′ JPN 0 AUS 0 The Wallabies win a turnover and go on the attack. Salakia-Loto has been forced from the field in the seventh minute, with Canham coming on. Gordon goes to the air, Japan regather and clear. Jack Cornelsen has been forced from the field with a HIA, and the Wallabies earn a penalty on the attack for Japan not releasing the player.
5′ JPN 0 AUS 0 A seesawing start with the Wallabies looking imposing, but Japan wins a penalty for holding on. Lineout won and the Blossoms attack, but the Wallabies shut it down and knock it on. Salakia-Loto looks sore but is playing on.
0′ JPN 0 AUS 0 Ben O’Keefe blows his whistle, and we are underway!
Brave Blossoms 3
Tries:
Cons:
Pens: Lee 1/1
Cards: 19′ – Charlie Lawrence (Yellow), 36′ – Shuhei Takeuchi (Yellow)
Wallabies 14
Tries: Champion de Crespigny, Flook
Cons: Edmed 2/2
Pens:
PRE-MATCH
KO T-MIN 5: Both sides head out to a raptuous reception, the anthems sung, and we are ready to go!
KO T-MIN 30: Training is over, and the Wallabies and Japan get ready to take the field. It’s time to play!
KO T-MIN 60: Conditions in Tokyo are humid and rainy with a light wind, with the temperature a balmy 13 degrees Celsius at the National Stadium in Shinjuku. A large crowd is be expected, which should make for a fascinating afternoon of rugby in the Japanese capital.
KO T-MIN 90: Welcome to our live coverage as the Wallabies face Eddie Jones’ Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
The match marks the first of the Wallabies’ five-Test overseas trip, heading to Europe to face England, Italy, Ireland and France.
Japan will have a similarly packed schedule, with them also heading to Europe to play South Africa, Ireland, Wales and Georgia.
The Wallabies have made a flurry of changes, but come into the match having never lost to the Brave Blossoms, with the sides having played on six previous occasions, the most recent of which in 2021.
Joe Schmidt’s need to maintain that record if they hope to finish the 2025 season in the top six of the world rankings, with 2027 World Cup calculations under consideration.
WALLABIES v JAPAN TEAMS
Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch; Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon; Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny (capt); Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams; Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu
Japan (15-1): Yoshitaka Yazaki, Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Tomoki Osada, Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara, Michael Leitch, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns, Jack Cornelsen, Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Kenta Kobayashi
Replacements: Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul, Tiennan Costley, Kenta Fukuda, Charlie Lawrence, Sam Greene.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey (NZR) & Morgan White (HKCR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FRPO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v JAPAN
The Wallabies’ clash with Japan will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 4:15 pm (AEDT), with kick-off slated for 4:50 pm
The game will not be shown on free-to-air TV, not covered under the anti-siphoning laws.
