LIVE: A host of Test hopefuls will get their chance to impress as Australia A take on Japan XV in Osaka.
It serves as a perfect preview for next week’s clash in Tokyo, with the Wallabies set to face the Brave Blossoms.
Watch Australia A take on Japan XV this Saturday live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Captain Matt Faessler is one of nine Wallabies in the Australia A squad, with Faessler one of several to link up with the Test squad in the coming days.
Vice-captain Ben Donaldson gets his chance to impress, with fellow deputy Pete Samu set to pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2023.
As for Japan, they are looking to showcase their depth as they build for their own Spring Tour.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
KO T-MIN 5: Anthem time
Both teams are just about to come out for the respective anthems ahead of this contest.
A sea of white and red in the crowd for the hosts with the odd gold jersey in the stands.
Side note – the Australia A kit sees a return of the collar, which is a nice touch.
KO T-MIN 30: Donaldson headlines players to watch
There are plenty of stars on either side, but it feels like a prime chance for Ben Donaldson to make a statement for the Wallaby gold jersey.
Donaldson was left out of the Spring Tour squad, but is likely to stay in Japan next week to assist the Wallabies. A big match today could put him right back in selection frame, here’s what Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt had to say:
“Ben’s got a really clear idea of what we’re looking for, so hopefully you and we see that on Saturday and he’ll run the game well, he’s got a long kicking game, he’s got a good passing game, he’s very good taking the ball to the line and playing in front of the opposition,” he said.
“It’s more around his ability to control the defensive line particularly from the deep where he tends to play and then being able to be involved in that defensive side of the game just as much as the attacking side.”
KO T-MIN 60: Welcome
Welcome to Rugby.com.au’s coverage of Australia A’s one-off match with Japan XV in Osaka.
Conditions appear to be overcast at Yodokou Sakura Stadium as both teams look to impress their respective Test coaches.
There are internationals across the park, setting up a cracking match-up.
AUSTRALIA A v JAPAN XV TEAMS
AUSTRALIA A (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Matt Faessler (c), Rhys van Nek, Darcy Swain, Josh Canham, Rory Scott, Luke Reimer, Pete Samu, Teddy Wilson, Ben Donaldson, Ollie Sapsford, Hamish Stewart, Joey Walton, Tim Ryan, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Lington Ieli, Dan Botha, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Henry Robertson, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachlan Anderson
JAPAN XV (1-15): Sho Furuhata, Shodai Hirao, Sanshiro Kihara, David Van Zeeland, Shu Yamamoto, Tyler Paul, Akito Okui (c), Amanaki Saumaki, Shuntato Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea, Siosaia Fifita, Yuya Hirose, Kazuma Ueda, Yoshitaka Yazaki
Replacements: Shoma Sagawa, Yuichiro Taniguchi, Yuta Kokaji, Shohei Ito, Rikuro Nakaya, Asahi Doei, Shinya Koumra, Kotaro Ito
Referee: Morgan White (HKCR)
HOW TO WATCH AUSTRALIA A v JAPAN XV
Australia A’s clash with Japan XV will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 2:50 pm (AEDT) with kickoff expected at 3:00 pm.