Wallabies face Eddie Jones’ Japan for first time since World Cup disaster and defection
Shattered Wallabies players who suffered a pool exit in the 2023 World Cup now get to take revenge against former coach Eddie Jones.
The Wallabies will have a showdown against former coach Eddie Jones in October when they take on Japan in Tokyo.
It will be the first time since Jones’ departure from Australia, following their embarrassing 2023 World Cup campaign, that the Wallabies will encounter Jones.
After denying throughout 2023 that he’s signed a secret deal to coach Japan, Jones performed a stunning defection to be named their head coach shortly after resigning from the Wallabies’ post.
The match will be played on October 25, after which they’ll travel to the United Kingdom for their spring tour games.
Australia has never played Japan in Tokyo, but have won all six previous encounters against the Brave Blossoms.
As speculation swirls around whether Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will continue in the role beyond the British & Irish Lions tour that ends on August 2, Rugby Australia’s statement on the Japan game featured quotes only from their chief executive, Phil Waugh.
“We are delighted the Wallabies will play the Brave Blossoms in front of a large, passionate crowd in Tokyo and thank JRFU President Masato Tsuchida, JRFU Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi and their administration for the opportunity,” Waugh said.
“The Test match will also serve as excellent preparation for the Wallabies ahead of the Autumn Internationals in the northern hemisphere.”
Iwabuchi said: “As the hosts of the next men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027, Australia’s visit is sure to evoke fond memories of our own World Cup in 2019 – not only for Brave Blossoms fans, but also for the large Wallaby contingent who contributed so much to the spectacle and atmosphere of the tournament.”
Meanwhile, a star-studded NSW Waratahs squad will play their final trial match in Bowral on Saturday, against the Brumbies, before their Super Rugby Pacific season begins on February 14.
Featuring 13 Wallabies including cross-code superstar Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, the Tahs face a Brumbies team that is resting most of its Wallabies.
Tahs captain Jake Gordon is expecting some problems as the new squad, featuring several former Melbourne Rebels players, comes together but after collecting the wooden spoon last season he is certain their attitude will be much improved.
“We understand that it’s probably our first proper hit out together and there’s going to be a little bit of teething in that,” Gordon said.
“We want to be a team that really fights, we want to be a team that fights for those positions on the ground and has a really gritty defence.
“We’ve made some pretty big fixes or things we thought were a priority which we’ve really put some time into.
“There is definitely some behavioural stuff we have been working on, and we want to see that come to life on Saturday.
“We’re not aiming for perfection, but we’re aiming to see some genuine intent in terms of attacking.
“The result is somewhat important, but it’s not everything. We know there’s going to be clunky moments. We don’t want to put any added extra pressure on ourselves.”
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