Eddie Jones Brings Back Michael Leitch for Japan’s Clash with Wallabies Featuring South African Debutant
Japan’s head coach Eddie Jones has made significant changes ahead of the highly anticipated rugby match against Australia. The game is set to take place on Saturday, October 25, at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Eddie Jones Makes Key Changes for Japan’s Clash with Australia
Jones has made six alterations to the starting lineup, including the return of veteran back-row player Michael Leitch. Leitch, a former head coach of Japan, will start at number eight. This match marks Jones’s first encounter with the Wallabies since his departure as their head coach after a challenging 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Notable Replacements in the Lineup
- Ben Gunter returns, joining Leitch in the back row as the blindside flanker.
- Kanji Shimokawa will complete the back row as the openside flanker.
- Yoshitaka Yazaki is back to start at full-back.
- Kippei Ishida will play on the right wing, with Tomoki Osada moving to the left.
- Shogo Nakano will partner Dylan Riley in the midfield.
- Lee Seung-sin remains the starting fly-half.
Tyler Paul, a South African utility forward, is set to make his Test debut, coming off the bench. He will provide additional cover for the forwards, joined by Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, and Tiennan Costley. Coach Jones has opted for a 5-3 bench split, with Kenta Fukuda, Charlie Lawrence, and Sam Greene as backline replacements.
Match History and Coach Insights
Japan has not achieved victory against Australia in their previous six encounters. Meanwhile, the Wallabies have appointed a new captain. Eddie Jones, who previously enjoyed considerable success as England’s head coach, has expressed his excitement for the match. He noted, “I enjoy beating Australia – I coached against them 10 times for England and beat them nine times.”
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, October 25
- Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo
- Kick-off Time: 14:50 local time (16:50 AEDT, 06:50 BST, 05:50 GMT)
- Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
This match presents a critical moment for both Japan and Eddie Jones as they look to establish a stronger presence against their formidable opponents, the Wallabies.
