LIVE: Wallabies begin tenure under Les Kiss against Japan

Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:50 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies begin their Spring Tour with a clash against Japan in Tokyo.

The Wallabies will kick off their two-Test series against Japan as the teams face off in Osaka.

The match is Les Kiss' first in charge of the Australians, taking over from departing boss Joe Schmidt.

Watch every second of the Wallabies' Tests against Japan live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Aidan Ross and Miles Amatosero make their debut starts at Test level, while Isaac Henry is slated to make his first appearance in gold via the bench.

They face a Japanese side coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, looking for their first win ever over the Aussies.

Second-rower Jack Cornelsen is one of several Australian-born talents in the Japan team, set to be captained by Hurricanes second-rower Warner Dearns.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE

PRE GAME: WELCOME

Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallabies' clash with Japan, LIVE from Osaka.

There's a sea of red and white descending on Hanazono Rugby Stadium as the ground hosts Test footy for the first time since 2009. There are patches of gold in the forecourt but the Japanese have come out in force.

Conditions are hot, but not as bad as it's been during the week, with temperatures just topping 30 degrees. Still, expect there to be hydration breaks around the 20th and 60th minute.


JAPAN v WALLABIES TEAMS

WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Miles Amatosero, Josh Canham; Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry

JAPAN (15-1): Takuro Matsunaga; Kazuma Ueda, Dylan Riley, Samisoni Tua, Taira Main; Ryunosuke Ito, Naoto Saito; Faulua Makisi, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter; Warner Dearns (capt), Jack Cornelsen; Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Takato Okabe

Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Sojiro Otsuka, Keijiro Tamefusa, Harry Hockings, Michael Leitch, Tiennan Costley, Shunsuke Uenobo, Yoshitaka Yazaki

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR) & Morgan White (HKCR)

TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

FPRO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)

HOW TO WATCH JAPAN v WALLABIES TONIGHT

The Wallabies' clash with Japan will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport

Coverage will be live on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 7:30 pm AEST, with kick-off closer to 8:05 pm

The game will not be shown on free-to-air, not covered under the anti-siphoning laws

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