Japan vs Australia 2026 Lipovitan D Challenge Cup Match Preview

The Japan Brave Blossoms host Australia at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiosaka City (Higashi-Osaka) on Saturday, August 8th for the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026.

Photo Credit – JRFU – Brave Blossoms vs Wallabies 2025

It will be new Wallabies Head Coach Les Kiss’s first Test, and he will come up against former Wallabies Head Coach and Australian Eddie Jones, who is in charge of the Brave Blossoms. We have been looking forward to this match for some time, as it could be a prime opportunity for the Japanese to claim a first win over Australia in front of as many as 25,000 fans.

The Brave Blossoms are currently ranked 10th, and the Australians are 8th, and when they last played on October 24 2025, the Australians came out on top 19-15 in wet conditions, albeit not with a full-strength side. It was their 7th straight win over Japan and by the smallest margin yet.

The Japanese had two players in the sin bin in the first half, which didn’t help them, and they trailed 3-14 at the break. They came up short in the second-half comeback, but it was a close, nervy game in wet conditions.

Truth be told, the players running out on Saturday for both teams will have a very different look. Only 11 players in Japan’s matchday 23 faced the Wallabies in Tokyo in 2025.

The visitors come into the match having lost to Ireland and France but beating Italy. Japan defeated the Italians too before losing to the same opposition Australia did. Much has been made of the weather in the build-up to the game, with high humidity normal this time of the year, as well as the threat of Typhoon Dolphin. The Hanazono Rugby Stadium is completely exposed to the elements.

As part of the new Australian coaching setup, Kiwi defensive coach Scott McLeod spent six years as the All Blacks defensive coach. As a player, he also played in Japan with the Toshiba Brave Lupus. He said via Rugby.com.au “If you look at the Japan side, they are very good with continuity. They hold onto the ball really well, create a lot of LQB [lightning quick ball] and are able to build phases, so we have to be sharp in that area this week.

They’re playing a little bit flatter, being a little bit more direct, and then if they don’t get what they want there, then they’re looking to kick more.

So far this year they have kicked the second most out of any team in the world, which is a real change for them, so their game management has shifted a little bit. We want to be able to try and get the ball before they kick, but also when it goes in the air, you’ve also got to be able to take that as well.”

Photo Credit – JRFU – Brave Blossoms vs Wallabies 2025

The Wallabies’ top tacklers in the first segment of the Nations Championship were Rob Valetini and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who both start. Suaalii will start alongside new Shizuoka BlueRevs signing Hunter Paisami in the midfield.

Harry Wilson and Valetini made the most carries – so the forwards are going to have an epic tussle in the challenging Osaka conditions. They are also looking for a rare win as they have only won two Tests in their past ten games.

Valetini said, “We know that they want to play fast, and obviously it’s quite hot here. We think they’ll try to use that to their game plan and try to run us off our feet.”

Harry Wilson captains the side from number eight for the 24th time alongside Valentini and Fraser McReight. Less Kiss has given first starts to Aidan Ross and Miles Amatosero, while Isaac Henry could become the 999th Wallaby if he comes off the bench.

There is an exciting back three with wingers Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright.

The Japanese will need little motivation to try and topple the Wallabies at home. There are countless connections between the squad and their opponents. Several players are Australia-born and grew up there and are set to run out for the Brave Blossoms: Harry Hockings, Ben Gunter, Jack Cornelsen, Dylan Riley, and Tiennan Costley. Gunter was one of the try scorers in the loss when they last played.

Eddie Jones has selected only hooker Hayate Era from the previous game against France to start in the front row. Warner Dearns is captaining in the second row alongside Jack Cornelsen, but Harry Hockings is among the reserves.

The back row is strong with Ben Gunter, Faulua Makisi and Kanji Shimokawa.

Naoto Saito and the exciting Ryunosuke Ito start together again at 9-10, with experienced Dylan Riley in the centres alongside Samisoni Tua – a powerful combo. Takuro Matsunaga, who was the top points scorer in the Nations Championship, is at fullback.

There are no debutants and the bench is solid with the likes of Thienan Costley, Michael Leitch (who could win his 96th cap), Mamoru Harada and the utility back Yoshitaka Yazaki. Full-back Yazaki could make his first Japanese appearance since November.

The Brave Blossoms have also appointed Hiroyuki Kamitori as Assistant Team Director. The former player coached Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo from 2013-2021 and more recently was the Meiji University Rugby Club Head Coach between 2021-2026 – he won the national University Championship this year, where current Brave Blossoms flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito was one of his star players.

Head Coach Eddie Jones said, “Both teams know the conditions, and we believe these are the best 23 to handle those conditions and play against an experienced Australian team. Our record against them has been seven official test matches and we don’t have a win yet, so this is a fantastic opportunity for Japan to create some history.”

We saw last year that we’re getting closer and believe that if there is a gap now, it’s going to be minimised again this weekend. There is a lot of pressure on Australia. They’ve got a very experienced team, and they will be expected to win, so we want to make sure we’re putting pressure on them right from the start.

The two teams will face off again next weekend on August 15th 2026 at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville) in Australia.

Match Permutations

• Japan must win by more than 15 points to climb above Fiji into ninth place.
• If Japan loses, they will fall to 12th.
• Australia will remain eighth regardless of the result in Osaka.

Match Officials – Japan vs Australia August 8 2026

• Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
• Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR)
• Assistant Referee 2: Morgan White (HKCR)
• TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
• FPRO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)

Japan Brave Blossoms Squad vs Australia– 2026

You can see more about the squad selection here.

Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones made several changes to the side that lost to France in Tokyo three weeks ago, with five players coming into the matchday 23.

Australia Squad vs Japan – 2026

The Wallaby touring squad to Japan can be seen here.

1. Aidan Ross (3 Tests) – #994; Bond University
2. Josh Nasser (13 Tests) – #979; Easts Tigers
3. Allan Alaalatoa (91 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Josh Canham (5 Tests) – #987; Harlequin Rugby Club
5. Miles Amatosero (1 Test) – #998; South Coogee Red Devils
6. Rob Valetini (65 Tests) – #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (42 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (39 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Ryan Lonergan (8 Tests) – #993; Tuggeranong Vikings
10. Declan Meredith (2 Tests) – #997; Barron Trinity Bulls
11. Harry Potter (12 Tests) – #989; Moorabbin Rams
12. Hunter Paisami (35 Tests) – #932; Harlequin Rugby Club
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (21 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (23 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (46 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles

Reserves

16. Billy Pollard (21 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (53 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Taniela Tupou (70 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby
19. Jeremy Williams (28 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Charlie Cale (2 Tests) – #976; Beecroft Junior Rugby Club
21. Tate McDermott (53 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (21 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles
23. Isaac Henry* – uncapped; Kenmore Bears

*denotes potential Test debut

How To Watch the Brave Blossoms vs Wallabies 2026 Test

The JRFU said the game will be broadcast live on BS Nippon Television 19:00- / J SPORTS 18:35- /  Live Streaming: Hulu 19:00- / J SPORTS On Demand 18:35.

Please check broadcast and streaming options in your region.

Asian Rugby News 2026

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