
Australia's Wallabies add a test in Japan to a big 2025 rugby schedule
SYDNEY (AP) — The Wallabies will play a test in Japan in October ahead of their European tour in what will be a packed international rugby schedule for Australia's national team in 2025.
Australia and Japan will meet in Tokyo at the National Stadium on Oct. 25. The Wallabies have a 6-0 record in head-to-heads but haven't played in Japan since 2021.
It will be the first test between the two countries since Eddie Jones quit as Wallabies coach in the wake of a dismal Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023 and later returned to Japan for a second stint in charge of the Japanese men's team.
'As the hosts of the next men's Rugby World Cup in 2027, Australia's visit is sure to evoke fond memories of our own World Cup in 2019 — not only for Brave Blossoms fans, but also for the large Wallaby contingent who contributed so much to the spectacle and atmosphere of the tournament,' Japan rugby federation chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi said.
The Wallabies kick off their international season against Fiji on July 6 before taking on the British and Irish Lions on consecutive weekends in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney starting July 19.
That will be followed by Rugby Championship tests against World Cup champion South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina between Aug. 16 and Oct. 4.
___
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Business Upturn
Will Neymar Jr play in Brazil vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier?
By Aman Shukla Published on June 10, 2025, 12:23 IST As the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers heat up, all eyes are on Brazil's star-studded squad, with one question dominating discussions: Will Neymar play in the crucial Brazil vs Paraguay match scheduled for June 10, 2025? Neymar Jr., Brazil's record goalscorer, has been a focal point of speculation due to his recent injury struggles and absence from the national team. Neymar, the 33-year-old forward, has faced significant injury setbacks over the past few years. His last appearance for Brazil was in October 2023, when he suffered a devastating ACL and meniscus injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. This injury sidelined him for over a year, limiting his appearances for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and later his boyhood club, Santos, where he returned in January 2025. Since his return to Santos, Neymar has struggled with recurring muscular injuries, including a thigh injury that delayed his comeback. Most recently, reports surfaced on June 8, 2025, indicating that Neymar tested positive for COVID-19, further complicating his availability for upcoming matches. These health challenges have raised doubts about his participation in Brazil's qualifier against Paraguay. Brazil's Squad Under Carlo Ancelotti Brazil's new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, announced his first 25-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay on May 26, 2025, and Neymar was notably absent. Ancelotti explained that Neymar's recent return from injury and lack of full fitness were the reasons for his exclusion. However, the Italian coach emphasized that Neymar remains a key part of his plans for the 2026 World Cup, stating, 'We are counting on him. He came back to Brazil to play and prepare for the World Cup.' Brazil's squad for the qualifiers includes stars like Vinicius Jr., Casemiro, and Alisson, but the absence of Neymar and Real Madrid's Rodrygo has sparked debate among fans. Ancelotti's decision reflects a cautious approach, prioritizing Neymar's long-term recovery to ensure he's in peak condition for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at

2 hours ago
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year's tournament
NEW YORK -- Philadelphia's host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration may be among the outside events that impact next year's tournament. "There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty,' Meg Kane said Monday at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders, one year and two days ahead of the tournament opener. The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games. All matches from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 'Whether it's the Olympics, whether it's a World Cup, whether it's a Super Bowl, you name it, anytime you've got a major international sporting event, geopolitics is going to have a role,' said Alex Vasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey host committee. Kane said the host committees must adapt to decisions made by others. 'One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty,' Kane said. 'I think for each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome. We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.' Trump's travel ban on citizens from 12 countries exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. 'We allow for FIFA to continue having constructive conversations with the administrations around visas, around workforce, around tourism,' Kane said. FIFA is running the World Cup for the first time without a local organizing committee in the host nation. Asked in late April whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was available to discuss the tournament, FIFA director of media relations Bryan Swanson forwarded the request to a member of the media relations staff, who did not make Infantino available. Legislation approved by the House of Representatives and awaiting action in the Senate would appropriate $625 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 'for security, planning, and other costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.' The 11 U.S. host committees have been consulting with each other on issues such as transportation for teams and VIPs, and for arranging fan fests. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after fans breached security gates. 'Certainly we were not involved in the planning or the logistics for that particular match,' said Alina Hudak, CEO of the Miami World Cup host committee. She said local police 'have done an extensive review of the after-action reports related to that in collaboration with the stadium and so all of the things that happened are in fact being reviewed and addressed and I can assure you that everything is being done within our power to make sure that the appropriate measures are being placed, the appropriate perimeters.'


Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Naylor hits grand slam in 11th and Diamondbacks recover to beat Mariners 8-4
Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Josh Naylor hit a game-ending grand slam in the 11th inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Seattle Mariners 8-4 on Monday night after losing closer Justin Martinez with two outs in the ninth and then blowing a four-run lead. Corbin Carroll launched a leadoff homer and Naylor had three hits and five RBIs for the Diamondbacks, who stopped a three-game skid. Martinez entered to start the ninth with Arizona leading 4-0 and struck out Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena to begin the inning. The right-hander then walked Dylan Moore on a full count and threw a pitch to Donovan Solano before calling for an athletic trainer. Jeff Brigham came in and gave up RBI singles to Solano and Cole Young before Dominic Canzone tied it with a 450-foot, two-run drive to right field for his first homer this season. Juan Morillo retired slugger Cal Raleigh with two runners aboard to finally end the inning. Morillo then pitched a perfect 10th and Jalen Beeks (2-0) got three straight outs in the 11th. Naylor homered to right-center with one out on a 1-2 pitch from Carlos Vargas (1-5), who was working his second inning in relief. Vargas loaded the bases with a walk to Geraldo Perdomo that followed an intentional walk to Ketel Marte. ___ AP MLB: recommended