---
title: "Japan vs Australia International test preview: Confirmed lineups"
canonical: "https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/08/08/japan-australia-2026/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Black"
section: "News"
published: "2026-08-08T07:19:36Z"
modified: "2026-08-08T07:19:41Z"
---

# Japan vs Australia International test preview: Confirmed lineups

| Home team | Japan |
| --- | --- |
| Away team | Australia |
| Venue | Hanazono Rugby Stadium |
| Competition | International Test |
| Kick-off time | 11:05 (UK) |
| Watch Live in the UK | Sky Sports |

Japan vs Australia preview as the teams meet in Hanazono Rugby Stadium in an international test. Australia have dropped to eighth in the world rankings, while Japan are sitting 10th in the world rankings.

Read more match previews for all your rugby action [here](https://readrugbyunion.com/matchpreviews/)

## Japan vs Australia confirmed lineups

- **Japan** · **Australia**
- **Forwards**
- Okabe · **1** · Ross
- Era · **2** · Nasser
- Takeuchi · **3** · Alaalatoa
- Cornelsen · **4** · Canham
- Dearns · **5** · Amatosero
- Gunter · **6** · Valetini
- Shimokawa · **7** · McReight
- Makisi · **8** · Wilson
- **Backs**
- Saito · **9** · R Lonergan
- Ito · **10** · Meredith
- Main · **11** · Potter
- Tua · **12** · Paisami
- Riley · **13** · Suaalii
- Ueda · **14** · Jorgensen
- Matsunaga · **15** · Wright
- **Replacements**
- Harada · **16** · Pollard
- Otsuka · **17** · Bell
- Tamefusa · **18** · Tupou
- Hockings · **19** · Williams
- Leitch · **20** · Cale
- Costley · **21** · McDermott
- Uenobo · **22** · Donaldson
- Yazaki · **23** · Henry

## Recent Form:

**Japan (Home team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Loss | 18th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | France | 15-42 |
| Loss | 11th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | Ireland | 20-36 |
| Won | 4th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | Italy | 27-10 |
| Won | 22nd November 2025 | International | Georgia | 23-25 |
| Loss | 15th November 2025 | International | Wales | 24-23 |

Japan picked up one win in the Rugby Nations Championship in their openinggame against Italy, winning 27-10. They then lost out to Ireland and France, but will face England, Wales and Scotland in November

**Australia (Away team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Won | 18th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | Italy | 57-19 |
| Loss | 11th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | France | 26-42 |
| Loss | 4th July 2026 | Rugby Nations Championship | Ireland | 31-33 |
| Loss | 22nd November 2025 | International | France | 48-33 |
| Loss | 15th November 2025 | International | Ireland | 46-19 |

Australia have only won one of their last seven test matches, and that came in their most recent match against Italy. They scored nine tries, including three for the lock, Josh Canham. Australia will look to build up confidence as they prepare for the remainder of the Rugby Nations Championship and the other Rugby Nations Championship teams in the coming months.

## Japan vs Australia head-to-head record (last four matches):

| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 25th October 2025 | International | Australia | 15-19 |
| 23rd October 2021 | International | Australia | 23-32 |
| 4th October 2017 | International | Australia | 30-63 |
| 8th September 2007 | World Cup | Australia | 91-3 |

Japan and Australia have met four times in international tests, first starting with the 2007 World  Cup. Australia have won all four tests, although the meeting last October ended with only a four-point margin of victory.