Japan's Brave Blossoms welcome the Wallabies to the city of Ōita for a one-off Test before both sides jet off to Europe for their Autumn Internationals.
Both teams will be looking to use this fixture as a springboard for their upcoming November European tours. This is unlikely to be just your run of the mill friendly, however, as both sides will be looking to make a statement and are led by two New Zealand head coaches who, while mates, are both extremely competitive men.
Japan vs Australia
Saturday 23 October
Showa Denko Dome Ōita
To Win Match
Japan 4/1
Draw 28/1
Australia 2/13
Handicap
Japan (+13.5) 9/10
Australia (-13.5) 9/10
The Wallabies head for Japan off the back of a positive Rugby Championship showing that saw them claim two solid wins over the South Africans and two comfortable wins over an admittedly weak Argentine side.
While the results were extremely positive, the biggest takeaway for the Wallabies was the form shown by Quade Cooper, who returned from the rugby wilderness in fine fettle and Samu Kervei, who was sublime after his short exodus in Japan.
Unfortunately, Kervei won’t be in action this weekend after suffering an ankle sprain. The Wallabies will also be without another blockbuster backline star as Marika Koribete has pulled out of the tour for personal reasons.
Hunter Paisami comes into the midfield to replace Kerevi though, so there will be no shortage of midfield belligerence in the Wallabies camp.
While Australia comes into this one off the back of a half season, Japan haven’t played a competitive game since taking on Ireland back in early July. They fared well on that two-game tour of Europe going down 28-10 to the British and Irish Lions before going down by just eight points to the Irish.
The Japanese will offer a real threat here and one man to look out for is Super Rugby Aotearoa rookie of the year Kazuki Himeno. The bruising number eight was insanely good during the competition and his tussle with the Wallabies loosies should make for entertaining viewing.
Verdict: Japan (+13.5) 9/10
I reckon we’re in for a very open game here with both sides capable of moving the ball around. While I’m pretty confident a rejuvenated Wallabies side will claim the spoils here, I don’t think it will be by much.
