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SCMP Reporter

Craig Wing is set to become Japan’s oldest-ever Rugby World Cup debutant after head coach Eddie Jones named his team for their final pool B match, against the USA on Sunday.
At 35 years and 289 days, the Kobe-based centre beats Shoji Ito who was 34 years and 295 days when Japan played Scotland on 23 September.
Wing, who won 17 caps for the Australian rugby league national side and plays for Kobelco Steelers in Japan’s Top League, was a late injury withdrawal from the match-day 23 in the Brave Blossoms’ opening win over South Africa.
Jones has made four changes to the starting side that beat Samoa.

READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...

Hiroshi Yamashita replaces Kensuke Hatakeyama, who drops to the bench. Justin Ives takes over from Hitoshi Ono in the second row, Male Sau is replaced by Wing in the centres, and Harumichi Tatekawa moves to outside centre to accommodate the switch. Yoshikazu Fujita comes in on the wing for Akihito Yamada, who drops out of the match-day 23.
Among the replacements, Shinya Makabe is the only change, as Ives moves into the starting 15 which, with 540 caps, is Japan’s third most experienced ever with an average age of 29 years and 20 days.
Ono, who became the Brave Blossoms’ oldest-ever player against Samoa at 37 years and 150 days, has been left out of the match-day 23.
Yoshikazu Fujita, Japan’s youngest-ever test cap winner when he played aged 18 years and 210 days against UAE in May 2012, will also make his World Cup debut. Fujita scored an international record six tries on his test debut.USA captain Chris Wyles, meanwhile, says there is “extra motivation” going into what is likely to be his final World Cup match.
The 32-year-old fullback made his Eagles debut against England Saxons in 2007 following a flourishing sevens career.
Set to make his 11th World Cup appearance, equalling Mike MacDonald’s USA team record, Wyles says victory over Japan at Kingsholm Stadium would be the perfect ending to his RWC story.
“I hadn’t thought too far ahead but it probably is [my final World Cup match],” Wyles said. “Ultimately, I want to make sure that I represent the jersey well and contribute to what should be or could be a great game for us.
“If we can come away with a win, that will be the icing on the cake."

Teams (15-1)
USA
Chris Wyles (c); Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo, Zach Test, AJ MacGinty, Mike Petri; Samu Manoia, Andrew Durutalo, Al McFarland, Greg Peterson, Hayden Smith, Titi Lamositele, Zach Fenoglio, Eric Fry
Replacements: Phil Thiel, Oli Kilifi, Chris Baumann, Cam Dolan, John Quill, Danny Barrett, Niku Kruger, Folau Niua
Japan
Ayumu Goromaru; Yoshikazu Fujita, Harumichi Tatekawa, Craig Wing, Kotaro Matsushima, Kosei Ono, Fumiaki Tanaka; Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch (c), Justin Ives, Luke Thompson, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki
Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh


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Rugby World Cup 2015

From the Rabbitohs to Japan ‘old boy’: Former NRL back Craig Wing to make RWC debut at age 35

Centre Craig Wing gets in some weight training ahead of becoming Japan’s oldest Rugby World Cup debutant – at age 35 years and 289 days – when the Brave Blossoms play the USA this weekend. Photos: Reuters

USA captain Chris Wyles (left) hopes to go out with a bang against Japan on Sunday when he plays his final World Cup test.

Rugby World Cup 2015 results & standings

The Webb Ellis Cup will be awarded to the winning team after the final of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on 31 October (1 November HKT). Photo: AFP

Sport

Rugby

Craig Wing is set to become Japan’s oldest-ever Rugby World Cup debutant after head coach Eddie Jones named his team for their final pool B match, against the USA on Sunday.


From the Rabbitohs to Japan ‘old boy’: Former NRL back Craig Wing to make RWC debut at age 35

.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...

READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...