The Western Force have named their team to take on the Japanese Wolfpack, calling up Fergus Lee-Warner to join the squad in Japan.
Lee-Warner said he is excited to be joining the team in Japan after getting the call and looks forward to playing against the international team.
“It’ll be good being in the squad over there and to just have a constant routine with training and obviously playing,” Lee-Warner said.
“Just slowly getting my fitness back was the main thing, cause I was out for so long and wasn’t able to do much.”
The 25-year-old lock said this will be his first time travelling to Japan and is looking forward to enjoying the experience with his teammates and embracing Japanese culture.
“I’ve only got the basics, like Konichiwa and stuff. I’ll probably have to use Google Translate,” Lee-Warner said.
“I guess the main aim is to just not be afraid to try new things. I get into Tokyo in a few days so I’d say once I get in there it’ll be a culture shock.”
“It looks like they are having a lot of fun, I’ve seen a few messages and photos so looks like they’re having a good time.”
The Force play against the Japanese Wolfpack this Saturday before travelling to Singapore to take on the Asia Pacific Dragons in Global Rapid Rugby’s Asia Showcase Series where Lee-Warner has the opportunity to test out the new style of play for himself.
“It’ll be interesting, I’ll be blown a bit but we practice this in training so I should be right,” he said.
“I think when I get on, focus on injecting myself and try and have a high work rate, run around, tackle hard, make sure I know my role and don’t muck up.”
The Western Force team:
1. Harrison Lloyd, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Leon Power, 5. Johan Bardoul, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Issak Fines, 10. AJ Alatimu, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Marcel Brache, 14. Rod Davies, 15. Jack McGregor.
Reserves: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Markus Vanzati, 19. Tom Sheminant, 20. Fergus Lee-Warner, 21. Tevin Ferris, 22. Ian Prior, 23. Rodney Iona, 24. Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 25. Clay Uyen.
The Wolf Pack team:
1. Keita Inagaki, 2. Atsushi Sakate, 3. Asaeli Ai Valu, 4. Wimpie Van Der Walt, 5. Uwe Helu, 6. Pieter Lappies, 7. Shunsuke Nunomaki, 8. Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 9. Yutaka Nagare, 10. Rikiya Matsuda, 11. Kenki Fukoaka, 12. Ryoto Nakamura, 13. Yusuke Kajimura, 14. Lomano Lemeki, 15. Ryuji Noguchi.
Reserves: 16. Takayuki Kitade, 17. Isieli Nakajima, 18. Yusuke Kizu, 19. Yuya Odo, 20. Masakatsu Nishikawa, 21. Atsushi Hiwasa, 22. Takuya Yamasawa, 23. Harumichi Tatekawa, 24. William Tupou, 25. Seiya Ozaki.
Written by Samuel Smith
