Eight Wallabies in Australia A side to play Japan XV

September 29, 2022 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia A coach Jason Gilmore has named eight Wallabies in his side to play Japan XV in the first match of a three-match series in Tokyo on Saturday.

The side named Thursday included an all-capped front row that sees Matt Gibbon at loosehead alongside hooker Lachlan Lonergan and tighthead prop Tom Robertson.

The series opens at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, with the two sides meeting again the following Saturday, Oct. 8, at Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka. The series concludes on Oct. 14 at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka.

Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan once again will lead the side as its looks to build from a second-place finish in the Pacific Nations Cup in July.

___

Australia A: Matt Gibbon, Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Robertson, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Ned Hanigan, Ollie Callan, Langi Gleeson, Ryan Lonergan (captain), Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu, Bayley Kuenzle, Hudson Creighton, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Harry Hoopert, Archer Holz, Ryan Smith, Brad Wilkin, James Tuttle, Isaac Henry, Mark Nawaqanitawase.

___

More AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports