The Rugby Test Match 2025 International Series, in which the best teams from the southern hemisphere will face off against the best from the northern hemisphere, will begin on July 5th. WOWOW will stream nine of the most anticipated matches live, with five of them also available for broadcast. Former Japan national team player and 2007 Rugby World Cup participant Masataro Onishi spoke about the highlights of the series.
New Zealand, known as the "All Blacks," ranked second in the world (as of June 23), will play three matches at home against France, ranked fourth and the Six Nations 2025 champions. In addition, Argentina, ranked fifth, will play England, ranked sixth, and South Africa, ranked first, will play two consecutive matches against Italy, ranked 10th. In the third week, South Africa will play Georgia (ranked 11th) and Argentina will play Uruguay (ranked 17th).
◇ Interview with Masataro Onishi
--The International Series is about to begin.
This year marks exactly two years since the 2023 World Cup and the halfway point until the next World Cup (2027 in Australia). I believe this is a period in which each country is preparing, processing, and has its own ideas, and I believe that the selection process will be more conscious of the next World Cup than last year.
--This time, the broadcast/streaming will start with the first match of the three-match series between New Zealand and France.
New Zealand will be hosting France at home so there will be pressure to at least finish with a winning record.
--Meanwhile, New Zealand has announced their squad.
It seems that the selection is for players who are aiming to be the next World Cup players, and not for players who are planning to transfer to another country. This is also because it is a milestone year between World Cups, but in that sense, new players such as CTB (center) Timogi Tavatavanavai and LO (lock) Fabian Haaland were selected. I'm curious to see if they will be able to participate.
However, I am particularly interested in FL/No.8 (flanker/number eight) Ardie Savea. He was the Player of the Year in Super Rugby Pacific 2025 and has had a remarkable run at Moana Pacifica (he will return to Kobelco Kobe Steelers next season). Naturally, I think he will be a central figure for the All Blacks, but I am also curious as to which position he will be used in. Will he be an FL or a No.8?
--Before the trip, France (as the French XV) played against the England XV and came from behind to win 26-24.
The focus will be on who will replace the obligatory number 9 (scrum half) and number 10 (stand off), but SH Nolan Lugarec, who was named Player of the Match in the match against the England XV (a select team similar to the national team), has been performing well and is expected to win a place in the starting lineup.
--The squad also includes veterans such as captain, center Gael Ficou, and prop Rabah Slimani.
One factor may be that the players are from teams that lost first in the TOP14 (French League), but I get the impression that the players are a combination of veterans and young players.
--So how do you think the outcome will be in these three games between these two teams?
If the team goes into the third match with one win and one loss, I think the fans watching will be even more excited. Also, since the strength of the southern hemisphere countries stands out in the World Cup, I think it will be interesting to watch these three consecutive matches from the perspective of "how strong the northern hemisphere is these days."
What are your predictions for the outcome?
I guess it'll be 2 wins and 1 loss for the All Blacks. Since it's difficult for France to select from the top 14 teams, I expect the All Blacks to win.
--Next, regarding the two consecutive matches between Argentina and England, Argentina defeated the British and Irish Lions (a combined team of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland that is formed once every four years) 28-24 and returned home in high spirits.
Argentina will likely field a similar lineup against England. England lost to the France XV because their main players were selected for the British & Irish Lions, but they still have a full lineup. However, playing a match in Argentina is tough for any country, so I think England will be a good experience, and it will obviously not be an easy match to win.
--Please tell us which Argentina player you would like to watch out for at home. Of course, FL/No.8 Pablo Matera, who is playing for the Mie Honda Heat in Japan, has been selected.
Although fly-half Tomás Albornoz, who has been gaining in trust, was left out of the squad, Santiago Carreras, who has played both as a fullback and fly-half, is attracting attention instead. He was a fly-half in the last World Cup, so it will be interesting to see in which position he will be used this time. Of course, the most important thing is that they have a lineup of forwards, including FL/No.8 Pablo (Matera), who are physically comparable to other countries, which is a big strength.
--On the other hand, England has appointed hooker Jamie George and fly-half George Ford as co-captains, but who are the players to watch?
It is unclear whether he will be used in the next game, but WTB (wing) Immanuel Faye-Waboso is worth watching. Also, I personally like Tom Roebuck, who is also a WTB, so I have high hopes for him. Of course, it will be important to see how far veterans such as SO George Ford can lead the team.
--Next, I'd like to ask about South Africa vs Italy. This will also be a two-match series, and will be held in South Africa, in the southern hemisphere.
I get the impression that they are thinning out the squad from a large number of players and deepening the player base. Of course, there are many veterans, but the young players are gradually improving, so I expect Italy to use a lot of young players. I think coach Tony Brown is implementing interesting tactics and sign plays, and I imagine they will try various things.
--Please tell us which South African players you think are worth watching.
Personally, I'm really looking forward to young SO Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. I feel like he's going to do better than last year. WTB/FB Aphelele Fassi is also attracting attention, but since this is also preparation for The Rugby Championship that starts in August, I expect that they will use not only young players but also veterans, mixing various forces.
--League One teams are also attracting attention.
It will also be an opportunity to get a sense of how well players who were in Japan, such as hooker Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears Funabashi, Tokyo Bay), wing Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), and center Jesse Curiel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), are able to play.
--It will be a tough two-match series for Italy as they travel to the home ground of world number one South Africa.
Italy's forwards are physically stronger to a certain extent. However, they are facing South Africa, which boasts stronger physical strength than anywhere else, so the key point is how well they can compete on an equal footing in that area. Young players such as CTB Tommaso Meloncello are also growing, but in the future, depth will also be important, so it is possible that they will bring in players from other countries, such as Argentina, who have the potential to become Italian national team players. However, no matter what the result is this time, it will be a great experience for Italy.
--Also, in the third week, Georgia will take on South Africa.
Georgia is tough and never gives up until the end, and looking at the rankings (11th), they are the team that is closest to the strong countries. They are gradually getting stronger, and it can be said that they are the team with the most room to grow right now. It is significant that such a growing country can play against South Africa, which is ranked number one in the world. It will definitely be a physical battle, and both Georgia and Italy will gain a lot of experience.
--In addition, Uruguay will play against neighboring Argentina.
Both are passionate countries, but Uruguay will be inspired by Argentina's strength and will want to promote South American rugby even more. They are also a country with a strong will to never give up until the end. There are still some challenges in terms of the depth of their player pool, but they can gain good experience by playing these games over and over again. In that sense, this will be a very important period for all the countries.
--These are all matches you won't want to miss, but finally, which match are you most looking forward to?
It's all about the outcome of the three-match series between New Zealand and France. And we're also paying attention to how each team will play with an eye on the Rugby Championship starting in August.
*The live broadcast and live streaming schedule for the "Rugby Test Match 2025 International Series" is as follows:
<Week 1> "New Zealand vs France" = 3:50 pm on July 5 (WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "South Africa vs Italy" = 11:55 pm on the same day (WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Argentina vs England" = 4:25 am on the 6th (WOWOW Prime, WOWOW On Demand)
<Week 2> "New Zealand vs France" = 3:50 pm on the 12th (WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "South Africa vs Italy" = 11:55 pm on the same day (WOWOW Prime, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Argentina vs England" = 4:25 am on the 13th (WOWOW On Demand)
<Week 3> "New Zealand vs France" = 3:50 pm on the 19th (※Pre-release live broadcast / WOWOW On Demand), 9 pm (WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "South Africa vs Georgia" = 11:55 pm on the same day (WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Argentina vs Uruguay" = 4:25 am on the 20th (WOWOW On Demand)
