All three new additions are set to make their international debut for the Japanese national team this autumn.
Photo: Harry Hockings, now a Japanese national (c) Townsville Bulletin
Coach Eddie Jones has officially announced the Brave Blossoms` squad for the upcoming series of test matches, which notably features eight new caps. Among these promising new talents, particular attention is drawn to a trio of naturalized players who have completed their switch to Japanese sporting citizenship:
- Tyler Paul: A 30-year-old loose forward from South Africa. Paul previously played for the “Kings” and “Sharks” and has been a fixture in Japan since 2020.
- Harry Hockings: A 26-year-old Australian lock. Hockings boasts experience with the “Reds” and the Australia U20s team, and has also been playing professionally in Japan since 2020.
- David van Zeeland: An Australian second-rower, aged 25. Born in Brisbane, van Zeeland made the move to Japan during his university years, establishing his career there.
Japan`s autumn international schedule promises a challenging series of encounters. The national team is slated to face Australia on October 18 and October 25, followed by matches against South Africa on November 1, Ireland on November 8, Wales on November 15, and concluding with a fixture against Georgia on November 22.
