Wallaby on ‘physical’ Hurricanes-bound lock before Japan Test

Warner Dearns could hold the key for Japan this weekend against the Wallabies, with an opposing player highlighting the Hurricanes-bound second-rower as a standout from Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms squad.

Dearns plays club rugby for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan Rugby League One, but the New Zealand-born lock has taken up a sabbatical, signing with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific for the 2026 season.

The 27-Test international was born in Wellington but has found a home in Japan, winning multiple club titles alongside experienced All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga, and starring in the international arena since debuting in 2021.

World Rugby uploaded a viral clip to YouTube of Dearns scoring a try against Canada during the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup, with the lock beating three tackle attempts during a 40-metre run upfield – which has been viewed more than 7,500 times on that platform.

Earlier this year, Dearns was selected to captain Japan for the first time during the PNC, leading the team to a convincing 57-15 win over Canada in Sendai. Wallabies enforcer Jeremy Williams has singled out Dearns as a Brave Blossom to watch in this weekend’s Test.

“Very skilful players and also very quick,” Williams told reporters on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to be physical and try to slow the speed of the ruck down, and then it just comes into focusing on us, knowing what our systems are in both attack and defence and just nailing what we want to nail.

“For me, in my position, someone like [Dearns],” he added.

“Very skilful, fast player around the field, physical as well.

“I’ve watched a few clips on him.”

Japan were beaten by Fiji 33-27 in this year’s PNC Final in Salt Lake City. Dearns captained the Brave Blossoms in that decider, starting alongside Australia-born forward Jack Cornelsen as the second-row pairing.

The Brave Blossoms will be eager to bounce back one month on from that title fight, but the Wallabies are also looking to return to winning ways. Australia have lost their last two matches, falling to New Zealand in both Bledisloe Cup Tests.

Under coach Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies defeated England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium 12 months ago before beating the Flying Fijians, British & Irish Lions, Springboks in Johannesburg, and Los Pumas in Townsville this year.

This match against the Brave Blossoms marks the start of the Wallabies’ five-Test Spring Tour, which also includes Tests away to England, Italy, Ireland and France.

“It’s a Test match. We’re here to prepare and do the best we can to win come Saturday,” Williams said.

“We know it’s going to be a really tough match; fast, physical like we spoke about. The Japanese are really skilful.

“We’re coming here and we want to do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to win. We’re not thinking about the other games that we’ve got coming, we’re just focused on this week.”