Wallabies to play Brave Blossoms in Japan

Australia will next year play a Test against Japan on the Brave Blossoms’ home soil for the first time, the Australian Rugby Union said Thursday.

The historic game will take place on November 4 at a venue to be announced, two years before Japan host the World Cup. 

Australia will travel on to Europe for their end-of-year tour after the Japan Test.

“This match will give the Wallabies a taste of playing Test rugby in Japanese conditions ahead of the World Cup and will springboard their tour of Europe and the United Kingdom next year,” ARU chief Bill Pulver said.

Australia have won each of their previous four meetings with Japan, including a 91-3 thumping in their most recent clash in Lyon, France, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies have played in Japan once before — a Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand in Tokyo in 2009.  – Agence France-Presse