Wallabies Ready to Battle Heat and Typhoon in Japan Test Debut

The Australian Wallabies rugby team is bracing for a challenging Test match against Japan in Osaka, where they will contend with both searing heat and the potential impact of Typhoon Dolphin. The first of two Tests is scheduled for Saturday night at Hanazono Rugby Stadium.

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Obviously it's pretty warm over here, but I grew up in Brissy. We get some pretty hot summers as well. So humidity's up, temperatures up, but it's no different to some of the conditions we get back home.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s to mid-30s Celsius throughout the week due to a heatwave. Adding to the difficult conditions, Typhoon Dolphin is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the southern Japanese Ryukyu Islands on Friday, approximately 1,500 kilometers south of Osaka.

However, the Wallabies are adopting a pragmatic approach. Queensland hooker Josh Nasser stated that the team is not overly concerned, comparing the conditions to those experienced during Australian summers. "We're really not hyper-focused on it. We're just accepting that it will be hot, and then sticking to our processes," Nasser told reporters.

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We're really not hyper-focused on it. We're just accepting that it will be hot, and then sticking to our processes.

Assistant coach Scott McLeod also acknowledged the potential impact of the typhoon, jokingly referencing former coach Eddie Jones, who now leads the Japanese team. Jones will be coaching his second game against Australia since taking over the Brave Blossoms just six weeks after resigning from the Australian role. The match will also see several Australians playing for Japan, including former Queensland lock Harry Hockings, whom Nasser considers a close friend.

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Is that Eddie Jones?

This Test match signifies the debut of Les Kiss as the Wallabies' new head coach, following Joe Schmidt's departure after the team's performance in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Wallabies have previously been challenged by Australians playing for other national teams, notably Mack Hansen's performance for Ireland last November.

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They'll be fired up to prove a point against us, I'm sure. [There's] nothing too strange about seeing them there, but it'll be a good battle.