Japan vs Australia Preview & Tips - Japan can push Australia all the way on home soil

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 22 Oct 2021

Ralph Staniforth 22 Oct 2021

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Japan vs Australia predictions for Saturday’s Rugby International fixture
The match is being played at 05:45 BST in Oita
Can the Brave Blossoms continue to show that they belong at this level?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

Expired

Japan can get close against Australia (Getty Images)

Japan vs Australia Preview & Tips

Japan have improve a lot and should be competitive, particularly if Australia are not at the top of their game.

Japan vs Australia Preview & Tips
Head to Head
Japan Form
Japan Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News
Japan vs Australia FAQ

My best bet for this match is for the Brave Blossoms to get within 13 points of their visitors.

Japan made the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup.
Japan lost their last match by 8 points against Ireland.
Australia have won their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Australia have won all five meetings against Japan. Their last encounter saw the Wallabies beat Japan 63-30 in Japan.

Japan Form

Rugby Union continues to be the fastest growing sport in Japan. The rewards of that came to the fore in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a tournament Japan hosted.

They reached the quarter-final stage, beating Ireland and Scotland in the group stage. The Brave Blossoms eventually came unstuck against the eventual champions, South Africa.

Since then the Japanese have not played many games due to the pandemic. They lost 28-10 to the British & Irish Lions prior to them leaving for South Africa. The following week Japan lost 39-31 to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

For long periods it looked like Japan may yet again upset the odds but the hosts came back and scored late on.

Japan Team News

Ben Gunter will make his debut this weekend after inspirational captain, Michael Leitch dropped to the bench. South African-born Pieter Labuschagne will captain the side.

At flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda starts ahead of Yu Tamura.

Australia Form

Not long ago Australian rugby looked to be in the doldrums. They lost three consecutive matches to New Zealand, two of which were by pretty big margins.

Just as it seemed all doom and gloom, Australia hit back to beat South Africa on consecutive weekends. The first match was won 28-26 thanks to a last minute Quade Cooper penalty while the second one was more convincing (30-17).

Those two wins were no flash in the pan either. The Wallabies then went on to beat Argentina 27-8 and 32-17 in their final two matches to finish second in the Rugby Championship.

Australia Team News

After showing incredible form during the Rugby Championship, Samu Kerevi misses this match through injury. Hunter Paisami will start in the number 12 jersey.

Davie Rennie has gone at full strength for this encounter but there is a return to the bench for James O’Connor. The utility back missed most of the Rugby Championship through injury and then non-selection. Quade Cooper continues at flyhalf.

Japan vs Australia FAQ

Where can I watch Japan vs Australia live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch Japan vs Australia live stream.

Verdict

Japan v Australia

Japan have improve immensely and will target this game as one they can perform in. Australia have not played for a few weeks so I'm backing the hosts get within 13 points.