The French Top 14 competition is in full swing with its healthy Australian contingent while a handful of home-grown stars made their mark in the Pacific Nations Cup semi finals.
It’s not just the familiar faces of Dylan Riley, Ben Gunter and Jack Cornelsen starring for Japan anymore – there’s a new Brave Blossom in town and Queensland fans will know him well.
Watch every game of Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Rugby.com.au presents the best of the Australians overseas in ‘Aussies Abroad:
Eagle-eyed Reds punters may have noted another Australian earning their Japanese debut earlier this year.
Former Queensland Red and current Shizuoka Blue Revs playmaker Sam Greene was finally awarded a Test cap for the Brave Blossoms against Wales during the July Series and has since become Eddie Jones’ starting fullback.
Greene starred against Canada in Japan’s opening tournament win with a try, two line break assists, two line breaks and a try assist.
He’s gone on to play key roles in subsequent wins over the USA and Tonga and is set for an Aussie collision course when the Wallabies take on Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Tokyo on October 25.
Christian Poidevin, son of Wallabies legend Simon, was another to earn his international stripes this year and has played a key role for the USA in their successful RWC 2027 qualification.
Across to France’s Top 14, former Wallabies fullback Tom Banks was outstanding in a losing Montpellier outfit during Round 2, racking up five tackle busts and running for 81 metres (33 post-contact).
Ex-Reds backrower Reece Hewat also shone for Jack Maddock’s Pau with a try, a turnover, three tackle busts and no missed tackles in their 34-10 win over Stade Francais.
Elsewhere, Suliasi Vunivalu found the chalk for an Aussie-laden La Rochelle side featuring Kane Douglas, Tolu Latu and Will Skelton that ran out 34-16 winners over Rob Simmons’ Clermont.