Toole and Valetini in Wallabies starting XV to face Japan in Tokyo

Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 5:06 AM
Brumbies.Rugby
by Brumbies.Rugby

Back row Rob Valetini and wing Corey Toole will both start for the Wallabies against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday afternoon. 

They will be joined by Brumbies teammates Billy Pollard and Ryan Lonergan on the bench.

Canberran Nick Champion de Crespigny, who currently plays for the Western Force, will skipper the side in what is just his third Test, joining Carlo Tizzano and Valetini (number eight) in the back row for the match at Tokyo’s National Stadium. 

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “It was great to get the group back together late last week in Sydney, and to welcome in a couple of new faces."

“The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose. They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home.”

Wallabies team to play Japan at National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday October 25 at 2:50pm JST/4:50pm AEDT

1. Angus Bell (44 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

2. Josh Nasser (8 Tests) - #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)

3. Zane Nonggorr (16 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles

4. Jeremy Williams (20 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers 

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (43 Tests) – #914; Randwick

6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (c) (2 Tests) - #991; Canberra Grammar School

7. Carlo Tizzano (11 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia

8. Rob Valetini (57 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club

9. Jake Gordon (32 Tests) - #925; Canterbury Juniors

10. Tane Edmed (4 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors

11. Dylan Pietsch (7 Tests) - #978; Leeton Phantoms

12. Hunter Paisami (32 Tests) - #932; Harlequin Rugby Club

13. Josh Flook (5 Tests) - #972; Brothers Rugby

14. Corey Toole (4 Tests) – #992; Wagga Waratahs

15. Andrew Kellaway (45 Tests) - #943; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

Substitutes:

16. Billy Pollard (16 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby

17. Aidan Ross* - uncapped; Bond University

18. Tom Robertson (36 Tests) - #898; Dubbo Kangaroos

19. Josh Canham (1 Test) - #987; Harlequin Rugby Club

20. Harry Wilson (31Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils

21. Ryan Lonergan (2 Tests) - #933; Tuggeranong Vikings

22. Hamish Stewart (2 Tests) - #986; Toowoomba Bears

23. Filipo Daugunu (15 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs

2025 Wallabies Tests (all dates and times are AEDT)

Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour

Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

The Flight Centre Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Wallabies 28 defeated Argentina 24 on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Wallabies 26 defeated by Argentina 28 on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 24 defeated by New Zealand 33 on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland

Wallabies 14 defeated by New Zealand 28 on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Spring Tour

Wallabies v Japan at 4:50pm AEDT on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo

Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London

Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine

Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris

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