The ACT Brumbies are heading to the land of the rising sun, with a November tour to Osaka set to provide a valuable hit-out against Japan Rugby League Two outfit the Kintetsu Liners as preparations begin for the 2027 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season.
Departing Canberra on 7 November, the Brumbies will take part in a range of cultural, community and partner activities during their time in Japan, ahead of their clash with the Liners.
The Brumbies will face the Kintetsu Liners at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday 14 November, with kick-off at 6.30pm (AEDT). The match will not be live-streamed, but fans can follow the Brumbies’ digital channels for match details and imagery following the game.
The ACT Brumbies acknowledge and thank newstar International, Osaka Prefecture, and the Kintetsu Liners organisation for their support in hosting the tour and helping create this opportunity for the club.
The Brumbies have named an exciting 25-player touring squad, headlined by the return of prop Blake Schoupp, the anticipated Brumbies debut of new signing Leafi Talataina and opportunities for a host of emerging players to build on their Super Rugby AUS campaigns.
Schoupp is set to return after suffering a lisfranc injury during the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final loss to the Hurricanes, while Talataina will have his first opportunity to pull on the Brumbies jersey after joining from the NSW Waratahs in the off-season. The hulking back-rower missed the Super Rugby AUS campaign through injury.
Harvey Cordukes will also feature after spending the off-season in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship plying his trade for Auckland.
Young guns TJ Talaileva and Oscar Cleary have earned selection after impressing in Swyftx Super Rugby AUS, while the club’s strong connection with the local rugby community is reflected in the inclusion of Tuggeranong Vikings standout and MacDougall Medalist Oscar Shaw and Queanbeyan Whites star Jack Gordon. Gordon earned his spot after standing out for the ACT & SNSW Griffins, highlighting the strength of the Brumbies’ club-to-pathway connection and continuing a long and proud partnership between the Brumbies and ACT & SNSW Rugby.
Osaka is a city with rugby in its DNA, and the Brumbies will face a Liners side featuring some familiar names from the international and Super Rugby stage.
Former All Blacks Akira Ioane and Peter Umaga-Jensen line up for the Liners alongside Springbok playmaker Mannie Libbok, while former Wallabies Quade Cooper and Ben Tapuai are part of the Japanese club’s coaching staff.
Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham said the tour would provide an important opportunity to build the group ahead of 2027.
“Trips like this are really valuable as we build towards 2027. It gives us the chance to spend quality time together as a group, experience a different rugby environment and test ourselves against a quality side," Larkham said.
“The Liners have some outstanding players and plenty of experience throughout their squad and coaching staff, so it will be a really good challenge for us.
“But the tour is about more than the game. The cultural experiences, and opportunities to connect as a team are all part of developing our players and our organisation.
“It’s a chance to put some important building blocks in place before we get into the 2027 season.”
For Blake Schoupp, the tour presents an opportunity to get back on the field, and build momentum towards the new season, while testing himself against a Liners outfit boasting international quality.
“It’s a pretty exciting opportunity for us, and personally, I’m really keen to get back out there with the boys," Schoupp said.
“I’m grateful to have had a successful rehab and to be fit and healthy again. I can’t thank the Brumbies medical staff enough; they’ve been outstanding. I’m really looking forward to playing some footy again.
“Japan is a great rugby country and Osaka is a real rugby town. There are some seriously good players in the Liners squad, so we know we’re going to be tested.
“We’re also looking forward to everything that comes with touring — getting out into the community, experiencing the culture and spending some good time together as a group.
“It’s a great way to finish the year, get some rugby under the belt and start building towards 2027.”
The Japan tour offers the Brumbies a chance to finish the year strongly, with a blend of experienced Super Rugby performers, and emerging talent set to benefit from the challenge on and off the field.
With preparations for the 2027 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season already taking shape, the trip to Osaka represents an important opportunity to strengthen connections, develop combinations and lay the foundations for the campaign ahead.
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