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Wallaroos excited for match against Japan - who haven't played a game since 2017

Queensland star Liz Patu takes on Rugby WA

Japan aren’t elite level opposition but they’ll do just nicely for an Australian women’s rugby team desperate to beef up their Test program.

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A two-match series against the 16th-ranked Japanese begins with a Test in Newcastle on Saturday, followed by a second in Sydney six days later.

They precede two Tests against New Zealand which, like last year, will be played immediately before Bledisloe Cup clashes in August.

The seventh-ranked Wallaroos have never played four Tests in a non-World Cup year, leaving newly-appointed captain Grace Hamilton pleased simply to be able to gauge their progress this month.

While the world’s top five ranked teams – New Zealand, England, Canada, France and the United States – are currently engaging in a tournament in San Diego, Hamilton was pleased some rising Australian talent will get a chance to showcase their wares.

There are 11 uncapped players in their 29-strong squad, with those who showed promising Super W form handed opportunities at the next level up ahead of the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

“There’s some new girls, which is lovely to see, there’s so much depth within Australia now,” Hamilton said.

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“It’s testament to the hard work they’ve been doing in the (two) Super W seasons that we’ve had.

“To be able to blood some new girls at this stage of the season is incredible and I can’t wait to see what they do.”

There is anticipation over the likely Wallaroos debut for Kiwi-born midfield back Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, who was a standout performer this year for Queensland.

The 18-year-old has just become eligible for Australia following a three-year stand-down period.

Former skipper Liz Patu has been selected but lost the captaincy, seemingly paying for a biting incident in March while on duty for Queensland which earned her a six-week suspension.

Hamilton said Japan will be no pushover, recalling Australia were forced to work for a 29-15 win in their last meeting, at Dublin during the 2017 World Cup.

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It is Japan’s first Test since that tournament.

Lucky enough to be heading to 2019’s Rugby World Cup? Check out what’s on in Osaka:

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J
JWH 37 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Interesting take, crazy to see the amount of delulu NZ fans here. I am an NZ fan, but this is atrocious.


I am fine with 75%+, in fact I think that is excellent, but the main point of anguish is not IF we win or lose, it is how. I think that Razor has finally got us playing to our identity again; flowing, simple, and brutally decisive & efficient.


There are certainly some issues that the stats reflect, like the scrum and lineout. However, at scrum time, there isn't really much variation, in terms of attack, you can put on that. So at the end of the day, not much to do differently apart from 'scrum better'.


However, the lineout is quite interesting. As Ryan said earlier this week, the ABs have added a lot of depth and combinations to their lineout, with FOUR lineout options (Barrett, Vaai, Savea, Sititi). While they did only retain 80% possession from lineouts (not great), the stat line is actually 12/15, which is pretty good, considering Aumua did all those lineout with limited experience and tiredness after playing 75 minutes at Twickenham.


There are also some really good stats to back up the ABs. They managed to stay out of their own 22 for a lot of the game, however they also didn't set up camp in the opp 22 often either. They are also passing the ball a lot, clocking in at 211 passes, double that of England. These stats show a return to attacking, flowing rugby, and not playing your own 22, which is the ABs style.


What I think Razor wants to do is make effective use of draw and pass, simple rugby. This can be pre or post contact, but you have to draw more than 1 player. For example, that Sititi offload to Telea, or BB to Jordan. Those were excellent, yet overall simple passages of rugby This can be risky at times (just watch DMac play), but it is a medium risk high reward gameplan.


What we Kiwis want is exciting rugby. We want hard defense, big hits, cool plays, and quick linebreaks. I cannot imagine being an SA fan between 2018-2021, which was one of the most boring rugby teams of all time (respectfully). I also cannot imagine being an England fan right now, so dull. But the ABs are making rugby exciting again, playing like Scotland and Fiji, but better.

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