Nine Wallabies named in strong Australia A side for Japan XV clash

Queensland Reds rake Matt Faessler will captain an experienced Australia A side against Japan XV in Osaka this weekend, as one of nine Wallabies selected in the matchday 23.

Faessler will pack down in the front row alongside another Australian international, with Isaac Kailea named to start at loosehead prop.

Brumbies prop Rhys van Nek has been selected at tighthead prop, while Darcy Swain and Josh Canham round out the tight five as the second-row pairing.

Pete Samu will wear a gold jersey for the first time in two years, handed leadership duties as the vice-captain and first-choice No. 8. Brumbies duo Rory Scott and Luke Reimer will line up at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

Former Australia U20s captain Teddy Wilson partners Wallabies playmaker Ben Donaldson in the halves, with Hamish Stewart and Joey Walton combining in the midfield.

Coach Simon Cron has selected New Zealand-born Ollie Sapsford on the left edge, with Tim ‘the Junkyard Dog’ Ryan lining up on the right, and Western Force outside back Mac Grealy will wear the No. 15 jumper at fullback.

On the bench, Wallabies backrower Seru Uru is one of four Reds players named to come off the pine. Joe Brial, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Lachlan Anderson will also look to make a difference when called upon.

“The squad has had a great week here in Osaka for what’s going to be a high-quality match against a well-prepared Japan XV side,” coach Cron said in a statement.

“There’s a number of guys in the team who are earning international experience for the first time, while there’s others who have competed at the highest level over a number of seasons.  They’re all equally excited to perform well in Australian colours on Saturday.”

This match at Osaka’s Yodoko Sakura Stadium will get underway at 3:00 pm AEDT on Saturday afternoon.

Australia A to take on Japan XV

1. Isaac Kailea – NSW Waratahs
2. Matt Faessler (c) – Queensland Reds
3. Rhys van Nek – ACT Brumbies
4. Darcy Swain – Western Force
5. Josh Canham – Queensland Reds
6. Rory Scott – ACT Brumbies
7. Luke Reimer – ACT Brumbies
8. Pete Samu (vc) – NSW Waratahs
9. Teddy Wilson – NSW Waratahs
10. Ben Donaldson (vc) – Western Force
11. Ollie Sapsford – ACT Brumbies
12. Hamish Stewart – Western Force
13. Joey Walton – NSW Waratahs
14. Tim Ryan – Queensland Reds
15. Mac Grealy – Western Force

Replacements

16. Ethan Dobbins – NSW Waratahs
17. Lington Ieli – ACT Brumbies
18. Dan Botha – NSW Waratahs
19. Seru Uru – Queensland Reds
20. Joe Brial – Queensland Reds
21. Henry Robertson – Western Force
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Queensland Reds
23. Lachlan Anderson – Queensland Reds