The Japan Rugby League One season gets underway on Saturday when Kobelco Kobe Steelers host newly promoted Mie Honda Heat.
With the August 28 deadline now passed for the final submission by all 20 teams of their 33-strong squads travelling to France, the names of the 660 players who will be involved at Rugby World Cup 2023 have been confirmed.
The last time an Australia-New Zealand composite side took the field, there were few All Blacks to speak of.
The Wallaroos hope two personnel changes can help close the gap on the Black Ferns in the second women's rugby Test in Auckland on Saturday.
New South Wales backrower Grace Hamilton has been named captain for the Wallaroos ahead of their historic two Test Series against Japan next month.