Japan vs Australia Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025 Mid-Year Internationals
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There is an added spice to this Test match with Japan head coach Eddie Jones taking on an Australia team he formerly coached.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised / Australia – Stan Sport
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Cannot be streamed / Australia – Stan Sport
Japan team news
Squad: Kenta Kobayashi, Hayate Era, Shuhei Takeuchi, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Ben Gunter, Kanji Shimokawa, Michael Leitch, Shinobu Fujiwara, Lee Seung-sin, Tomoki Osada, Shogo Nakano, Dylan Riley, Kippei Ishida, Yoshitaka Yazaki
Replacements: Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul, Tiennan Costley, Kenta Fukuda, Charlie Lawrence, Sam Greene
Australia team news
Squad: Andrew Kellaway, Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, 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 vs Australia prediction
Former Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones will hope to inspire his Japan side to a first-ever victory over Australia, in what is their first outing since a 33-27 defeat to Fiji in the final of the Pacific Nations Cup last month.
The Brave Blossoms now turn their attention to a series of Test matches against some of the toughest opposition in world rugby, starting with this clash with the Wallabies at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Australia, an improved side this year under Joe Schmidt, were most recently involved in the 2025 Rugby Championship where they finished third in a hugely competitive tournament.
Schmidt has made 13 changes to his team which faced New Zealand last time out, and that could potentially open the door for this hungry Japan side to spring a surprise. However, there should still be a clear gulf in quality with the visitors expected to claim the spoils in Tokyo.
Japan vs Australia tip: Australia to win with -18 handicap
