Wallabies heading to Japan

Editor

The Wallabies’ 2017 end-of-year tour is starting to take shape, with the Australian Rugby Union confirming its first Test against Japan on Japanese soil.

Australia will take on the Brave Blossoms on November 4, with the venue yet to be determined for the match, which will kick off the Wallabies’ tour.

The announcement follows the confirmation of the Wallabies’ November 18 Test against England at Twickenham, with the remaining matches of the Spring Tour still to be announced, with that responsibility left to host nations.

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the match would be important in Australia’s preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

“This Test match will be an historic occasion as the Qantas Wallabies play their first Test match against Japan on Japanese soil, less than two years before Japan hosts its first ever Rugby World Cup in 2019,” he told the ARU’s official website.

“Japan’s win against South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup is legendary and the rise of Japanese Rugby has continued with the inclusion of the Sunwolves in the Super Rugby competition this year.

“This match will give the Wallabies a taste of playing Test Rugby in Japanese conditions ahead of the World Cup and will springboard their tour of Europe and the United Kingdom next year.”

Australia has faced Japan four times in Test rugby, beating them each time, including a 91-3 win in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

2017 Wallabies end-of-year (full details tbc): 

November 4: Japan vs Wallabies, tbc
November 18: England vs Wallabies, Twickenham, London