Overview
- Australia’s matchday 23 features Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed in the halves, Rob Valetini and Carlo Tizzano in the back row, with regular captain Harry Wilson on the bench, while Carter Gordon was not selected.
- Aidan Ross is named among the replacements and could become only the fifth player to represent both New Zealand and Australia in Test rugby.
- Eddie Jones made six changes for Japan, recalling Michael Leitch at No. 8 and starting Australian-raised Ben Gunter, with Warner Dearns to captain alongside Dylan Riley and Jack Cornelsen in the XV.
- Jones said he “enjoys beating Australia” and framed the heavily rotated Wallabies as a “winning opportunity” for a potential upset in Tokyo.
- A Wallabies loss would drop them from seventh to eighth in the world rankings ahead of year-end seedings, and Marika Koroibete has confirmed his retirement from Test rugby.