Eddie Jones returns to his homeland in search of his former employers.
Watch Australia v Japan as new Wallabies boss Les Kiss tries to make it two from two against one of his predecessors, Eddie Jones.
New Zealand Greatest Rivalry The tour of South Africa may be in the rugby headlines right now, but these two sides proved more than capable of putting on a show in Osaka last weekend. The Wallabies earned a narrow 35-32 victory over the Brave Blossoms in the first game of the Kiss, but will be hoping for something more comprehensive when they take to the field in Queensland.
Kiss made several changes to their side, with lock Lachlan Shaw, flanker Charlie Cale and center Isaac Henry all making their first starts for their country. Henry faces a particularly tough afternoon with the usual big center partnership of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i ruled out through injury. Carter Gordon is the latest player to wear the number 10 shirt in the Wallabies’ permanent carousel.
Jones has also changed his lines as Japan look for their first win over the hosts. At the backs, Yoshitaka Yazaki and Haruto Kida come in on the wings, while Sunsuke Uenobo gets the nod in the centre. Australian-born Harry Hockings was selected alongside captain Warner Dearns in the second row.
The match kicks off at 6.15am BST / 3.15pm AEST on Saturday and you can watch Wallabies v Japan live streaming for free in Australia and the US. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to get involved below – including details on how you can use a VPN watch the game from anywhere. You will find the teams and officials at the bottom of the page.
Key information
– Australia v Japan date: Saturday 15.08.2026
– Australia v Japan kick-off time: 6.15am BST / 7.15am SAST / 7.15am CET / 3.15pm AEST / 5.15pm NZST / 1.15am EDT / 10.15pm PDT (Friday)
– Australia vs Japan Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
– Australia vs Japan Free Streams: 9 Now (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA)
– Watch from anywhere: Try it NordVPN 100% risk free
Can I watch Australia vs Japan for free?
If you’re in Australia you can watch the Wallabies vs Japan below for free on Channel 9 and 9 Now streaming service. Kick-off is at 3.15pm AEST this afternoon.
There’s also good news for rugby fans in the US, as free Australia vs Japan live streaming is available on World Rugby’s RugbyPass TV. Although it is free to use, you must register before you can start streaming action. Kickoff is at 1:15 a.m. EDT (Saturday) / 10:15 p.m. PDT (Friday).
If you are away from home this weekend, a VPN can help you watch your usual Australia – Japan live stream as if you were back at home. Read on to find out more.
Stream Australia vs Japan from anywhere
Abroad right now? That doesn’t mean you have to miss this month’s second Wallabies v Brave Blossoms test. By using a VPN, you can avoid geoblocking restrictions that would otherwise prevent you from joining the game when you’re abroad. There are many good VPNs that you can buy, but there are technical experts TechRadar Trust that NordVPN is the best in the world right now.
More ways to watch Wallabies v Japan
- UK and Ireland: Early rugby fans in the UK and Ireland need to set their alarm clocks and tune in to Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event for this kick-off at 6.15 BST. Check out the latest Sky Sports subscription offers at Sky website – prices currently start from £22 per month – or go up to Now Sports for daily (£14.99) and monthly (from £28) plans.
- Australia: Aussie fans can also watch Wallabies v Japan live without ads on the subscription service Apartment Sportwhich requires a $20 per month Stan Sport plan (in addition to your basic Stan subscription, which starts at $9.99 per month).
- New Zealand: Australia vs. Japan is being played in New Zealand Sky Sportswhich costs $59.99 per month for a streaming subscription ($29.99 daily options also available). Kick off is at 5.15pm NZST.
- South Africa: SuperSport will be your destination for Australia and Japan live streaming in South Africa, available on DStv and streaming. The match starts at 7:15 a.m. local time.
Australia vs Japan teams and officials
Australia
Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Charlie Cale, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson (captain)
Replacements:
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu
Japan
Takuro Matsunaga, Yoshitaka Yazaki, Dylan Riley, Shunsuke Uenobo, Haruto Kida, Ryunosuke Ito, Naoto Saito; Takato Okabe, Hayate Era, Shuhei Takeuchi, Harry Hockings, Warner Dearns (captain), Ben Gunter, Tiennan Costley, Faulua Makisi
Replacements:
Mamoru Harada, Sojiro Otsuka, Izi Sword, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Itsuki Kamimura, Samisoni Tua, Kazuma Ueda
For this is the participating team from New Zealand. Paul Williams is the referee, assisted by Angus Mabey and Marcus Playle. Glenn Newman is the TMO.
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