Warner Dearns may maintain the important thing for Japan this weekend in opposition to the Wallabies, with an opposing participant highlighting the Hurricanes-bound second-rower as a standout from Eddie Jones’ Courageous Blossoms squad.
Dearns performs membership rugby for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan Rugby League One, however the New Zealand-born lock has taken up a sabbatical, signing with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific for the 2026 season.
The 27-Check worldwide was born in Wellington however has discovered a house in Japan, successful a number of membership titles alongside skilled All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga, and starring within the worldwide area since debuting in 2021.
World Rugby uploaded a viral clip to YouTube of Dearns scoring a attempt in opposition to Canada through the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup, with the lock beating three deal with makes an attempt throughout a 40-metre run upfield – which has been considered greater than 7,500 instances on that platform.
Earlier this yr, Dearns was chosen to captain Japan for the primary time through the PNC, main the staff to a convincing 57-15 win over Canada in Sendai. Wallabies enforcer Jeremy Williams has singled out Dearns as a Courageous Blossom to observe on this weekend’s Check.
“Very skilful gamers and likewise very fast,” Williams advised reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ve acquired to be bodily and attempt to gradual the pace of the ruck down, after which it simply comes into specializing in us, figuring out what our methods are in each assault and defence and simply nailing what we need to nail.
“For me, in my place, somebody like [Dearns],” he added.
“Very skilful, quick participant across the subject, bodily as effectively.
“I’ve watched a couple of clips on him.”
Japan have been crushed by Fiji 33-27 on this yr’s PNC Last in Salt Lake Metropolis. Dearns captained the Courageous Blossoms in that decider, beginning alongside Australia-born ahead Jack Cornelsen because the second-row pairing.
The Courageous Blossoms can be desirous to bounce again one month on from that title combat, however the Wallabies are additionally seeking to return to successful methods. Australia have misplaced their final two matches, falling to New Zealand in each Bledisloe Cup Assessments.
Beneath coach Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies defeated England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium 12 months in the past earlier than beating the Flying Fijians, British & Irish Lions, Springboks in Johannesburg, and Los Pumas in Townsville this yr.
This match in opposition to the Courageous Blossoms marks the beginning of the Wallabies’ five-Check Spring Tour, which additionally contains Assessments away to England, Italy, Ireland and France.
“It’s a Check match. We’re right here to organize and do the most effective we will to win come Saturday,” Williams stated.
“We all know it’s going to be a extremely powerful match; quick, bodily like we spoke about. The Japanese are actually skilful.
“We’re coming right here and we need to do the whole lot we will to place ourselves in the most effective place to win. We’re not desirous about the opposite video games that we’ve acquired coming, we’re simply centered on this week.”
