How to Watch Japan v Australia Test Match

Japan is set to host Australia in a Test match on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka. This match marks the beginning of Les Kiss's tenure as the head coach of the Wallabies. Australia, guided by Kiss, aims to establish a more consistent performance after experiencing ups and downs under previous coach Joe Schmidt, who had a record of 12 wins out of 31 Test matches. In recent competitions, Australia improved significantly but struggled with inconsistency.

The Brave Blossoms are keen to perform well in front of their home crowd, having never secured a victory against the Wallabies in their past encounters. Japan recently faced Italy, achieving a victory, which was overshadowed by losses to Ireland and France during their inaugural Nations Championship campaign. Eddie Jones, Japan's head coach, previously guided the Wallabies but left following a disappointing World Cup performance in 2023, providing him extra motivation for this match.

The kick-off time is set for 11:05 am BST, 7:05 pm JST, 8:05 pm AEST, and for viewers in other regions, it translates to 10:05 pm NZST, 12:05 pm CET, 12:05 pm SAST, 6:05 am EDT, or 3:05 am PDT.

For viewers in Australia, the match will be available ad-free on Stan Sport, which features other rugby matches, Premier League fixtures, and Champions League soccer events. To watch the live stream in New Zealand, fans can tune into Sky Sport NZ, with subscriptions starting at $59.99 per month or $549.99 per year.

In the UK, there is currently no confirmed broadcaster for the match. However, Australians residing in the UK can access Stan Sport through a VPN.

To facilitate viewers traveling, using a VPN service allows fans to stream the match as if they were at home, helping to bypass geo-restrictions. Recommended VPNs provide reliable access to streaming services.

The teams are comprised of both experienced players and emerging talent. Japan's lineup includes Takuro Matsunaga and captain Warner Dearns, while Australia features Tom Wright and captain Harry Wilson. Eoghan Cross from Ireland will officiate the match with assistance from Paul Williams and Morgan White and Richard Williams as the TMO.

This match presents an intriguing matchup as Japan seeks to change their historical record against Australia, while the Wallabies look to sharpen their competitive edge under new leadership.