Wallabies to face Brave Blossoms in Japan

Dec 15, 2016 - 2:15 AM The Wallabies will play a Test against Japan in the Asian nation for the first time next year on the way to Europe for their Spring Tour.

The Australian Rugby Union announced on Thursday the historic fixture between Australia and the Brave Blossoms - who have only met in four Tests - would be held in Japan on November 4.

The Wallabies have played one Test in Japan, a 32-19 Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks in Tokyo in 2009.

"This match will give the Wallabies a taste of playing Test Rugby in Japanese conditions ahead of the World Cup (in 2019) and will springboard their tour of Europe and the United Kingdom next year," said ARU chief executive Bill Pulver.

The Wallabies' end-of-year schedule for 2017 is likely to be finalised shortly, with coach Michael Cheika understood to be keen to scale back from this season's brutal stretch of Tests in consecutive weeks against Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and England.

The only confirmed fixture so far is a Test against England on November 18.

The venue for the Japan Test will be confirmed in early 2017.

WALLABIES TESTS AGAINST JAPAN

1975 at SCG - Wallabies won 37-7

1975 at Ballymore - Wallabies won 50-25

1987 (World Cup) at Concord Oval - Wallabies won 42-23

2007 (World Cup) at Lyon - Wallabies won 91-3

Source: AAP