'Going to be a high quality match': Wallabies veteran Pete Samu returns in Japan Test dress rehearsal
Updated . First published at
Veteran backrower Pete Samu will pull on a gold jersey for the first time since 2023 after being named at No.8 in the Australia A team to play the Japan XV in Osaka on Saturday.
Samu moved to France to play for Bordeaux two years ago but has come home and will line up for the NSW Waratahs in 2026 and 2027.
The 33-year-old with 33 Test caps will join the Wallabies squad in Tokyo after Saturday's clash, along with Matt Faessler, Josh Canham and Hamish Stewart.
Watch Australia A vs Japan XV and the 2025 Autumn Nations Series with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
Australia A coach Simon Cron named hooker Faessler as his captain at Yodoko Sakura Stadium with Samu and No.10 Ben Donaldson as vice-captains.
The match will be broadcast live on Stan Sport, with coverage from 2.50pm AEDT.
"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," Western Force coach Cron said.
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"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."
There are nine players with Test experience in Cron's 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be watching closely as he continues preparations for the meeting with Eddie Jones' Japan on October 25.
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Donaldson has been usurped in the pecking order by Tane Edmed and Carter Gordon while uncapped halfback Teddy Wilson missed out to Kalani Thomas.
Queensland Reds winger Lachlan Anderson is on the bench after former sevens flyer Sid Harvey was ruled out with a hamstring strain.
AUSTRALIA A (15-1): Mac Grealy, Tim Ryan, Joey Walton, Hamish Stewart, Ollie Sapsford, Ben Donaldson, Teddy Wilson, Pete Samu, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Josh Canham, Darcy Swain, Rhys van Nek, Matt Faessler (c), Isaac Kailea
Reserves: Ethan Dobbins, Lington Ieli, Dan Botha, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Henry Robertson, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachlan Anderson
