Japan XV will take on Australia A in the Asahi Super Dry Challenge
match on Saturday, October 18, at the Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka,
before they head to Hong Kong next weekend for the team’s final
announced match of 2025 – We preview the Japan XV vs Australia A fixture
and look at team selections.
Watch Japan XV vs Australia A Live - Click Here
Watch Japan XV vs Australia A Live - Click Here
The Japan XV have lost to the Māori All Blacks and beaten the New
Zealand University side twice, as well as defeating a Hong Kong China
Representative team in 2025. They have played the Australia A team seven
times since 2003 and have only been victorious once.
The training squad Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones confirmed a couple of
weeks ago has already seen players drop out and be replaced. For the
team he has selected this weekend, there are two university players;
Yoshitaka Yazaki from Waseda University starts at fullback, and Rikuto
Nakaya (Doshisha University) is among the reserves.
Brave Blossom’s Assistant Coach, and Acting Head Coach for the
Australia A fixture, Neal Hatley said, “We’ve announced what we think is
the strongest side for this game. It’s a great mix of players that
toured with the PNC, as well as some young men who have been desperate
for an opportunity and who we think need to be rewarded. Then we’ve also
got some guys returning to the national team setup, with players like
Yoshitaka Yazaki and Siosaia Fifita.”
The Japan XV side features members of several Japan Rugby League One
teams, and flank Akito Okui from Toyota Verblitz will lead the side out
in front of a home crowd.
Hatley said of the captain Okui, “Aki has forced his way into the
squad by how well he’s been training. He’s been fantastic for us. He is
part of our leadership group, so he’s not just a good number seven; he’s
also a great team man who leads from the front. It was an easy
selection in terms of the captaincy, and we’re really happy with the
contribution that he’s made. Not just this week for the JAPAN XV, but
for the entire team as part of the PNC squad. He’s been a huge influence
on the group.”
Other players of note are David Van Zeeland ( Kubota Spears), an
Australian-born player who will start in the second row, flanker Tyler
Paul (URAYASU D-Rocks), who is a former Eastern Province, Southern
Kings, and Sharks player from South Africa, Halatoa Vailea (Kubota
Spears) on the left wing, and Siosaia Fifita (who has represented Japan
at the Junior level, U20s and for the Brave Blossoms) is at inside
centre.
Jones said, “We will use players who we feel need game time before the match against the Wallabies and upcoming test matches.”
Australia A coach is Western Force’s Simon Cron, and he has named
hooker Matt Faessler to captain the Australia A side, which includes
nine Wallabies in the matchday 23. Pete Samu and Ben Donaldson are the
vice-captains.
Backrower Pete Samu will represent Australia for the first time since
2023 and starts at No.8, while 2024 Rugby Australia Rookie of the Year
Tim Ryan has been named on the wing.
Cron said, “The squad has had a great week here in Osaka for what’s
going to be a high-quality match against a well-prepared Japan XV side.
There are a number of guys in the team who are earning international
experience for the first time, while there are others who have competed
at the highest level over a number of seasons. They’re all equally
excited to perform well in Australian colours on Saturday.”
Former 125-capped Australian player Michael Hooper, who played last
season in the Japan Rugby League One and will be a coach consultant for
Toyota Verblitz this season, added, “When we play against the Japanese,
I’m impressed by their fitness and physicality, especially their
strength at the breakdown.”
33-cap Samu, as well as Matt Faessler, Josh Canham and Hamish Stewart, will join the Wallabies squad in Tokyo after Saturday.
Following the Australia A match, a JAPAN XV squad will head to play
Hong Kong China on Friday, 24 October at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong
Kong, while the Test team will prepare for the match against the
Wallabies on Saturday, 25 October at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Saturday 18 October – JAPAN XV vs Australia A – YODOKO Sakura Stadium, Osaka
Friday 24 October – Hong Kong China vs JAPAN XV – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
How To Watch Japan XV vs Australia A
The match is due to be broadcast in Japan on J SPORTS 2 (LIVE) and J
SPORTS On Demand (Live Transmission) and on Stan Sports in Australia.
Japan/Japan XV vs Australia A: Previous Results
October 14, 2022 (W) 52-48 Osaka
October 8, 2022 (L) 21-22 Fukuoka
October 1, 2022 (L) 22-34 Tokyo
June 8, 2008 (L) 21-42 Fukuoka
June 9, 2007 (L) 71-10 Townsville
June 8, 2003 (L) 15-66 Tokyo
June 5, 2003 (L) 5-63 Osaka