The Wallabies have locked in what looms as a spicy encounter with former coach Eddie Jones and Japan in Tokyo in October, if he’s still in charge.
Under Jones, the Wallabies made the earliest World Cup exit ever in France in 2023, a campaign which played out amid revelations he was already in discussions about taking the Japanese coaching role he left for in the wake of his disastrous short tenure with Australia.
He was appointed coach of the Brave Blossoms, for a second time, in December 23, just months after the failed French campaign having denied reports
he had interviewed for the job before Australia failed to make the World Cup quarter-finals.
“I feel terrible about the results of Australia – I wanted to go back and change Australia. But I don’t feel any guilt at all about this process,” Jones said after signing a four-year deal with Japan.
Since taking over, Japan have lost to rugby powerhouses New Zealand, England and France by more than 40 points, amd jos team had a 4-7 win-loss record last year
putting his longer-term tenure in some doubt.
Whether he’s in charge when the Wallabies take on the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo on October 25 remains to be seen.
It will be the first Test for the Wallabies end of year tour and mark the first time the two sides have ever met in the Japanese capital.
Rugby Australia and Japan Rugby Football Union enjoy a strong, productive relationship and share a rich rugby tradition,” Rugby Australia boss, Phil Waugh, said.
The Wallabies have never lost to Japan in six previous clashes but could have a new coach of Waugh wants to resolve the uncertainty surrounding his future by the start of the new Super Rugby Pacific season in a fortnight’s time.
Schmidt initially signed a two-year deal following Jones’s chaotic departure.
“Our ambition was to get to a position with Joe before the end of last year,” Waugh said.
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“It’s obviously taken a little bit longer but we are working through those conversations constructively.
“We’re hopeful we’ll be able to share a position reasonably soon.
“Ideally we’d have a position before Super Rugby – and we’re really excited about what Super Rugby is going to deliver this year – and we don’t want to distract from the start of Super Rugby on February 14.”
WALLABIES 2025 TESTS
Wallabies v Fiji, Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
British & Irish Lions Tour
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
End of Year Tour
Wallabies v Japan, Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
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