日本橄榄球队本周六在大阪对阵澳大利亚沃拉比斯队的比赛中，将有多达五名澳大利亚籍球员代表日本出战，包括哈里·霍金斯、迪伦·赖利、杰克·科尼尔森、本·冈特和可能的山姆·格林 [1]。其中最为引人瞩目的是霍金斯，他曾是澳大利亚队的前景之星，如今将首次面对自己的母国。
霍金斯在2018年年仅19岁时在超级橄榄球赛中代表昆士兰红队首秀，当时教练布拉德·索恩曾认为他有能力为澳大利亚踢100场国际测试赛 [1]。但这名天才球员的职业生涯在新冠疫情期间出现转折。2020年，霍金斯因拒绝接受红队提出的60%薪酬削减方案而被罚停，随后与艾萨克·卢卡斯一同加入日本三得利队 [1]。通过五年居住条款，霍金斯获得了日本国籍资格，去年获得日本教练琼斯的征召，首场国际比赛对阵威尔士，本周将迎来对阵澳大利亚的首秀 [1]。
Japan's rugby team will field multiple Australian-born players in their upcoming test match against the Wallabies this Saturday in Osaka, showcasing a growing trend of antipodean talent representing the nation [1]. The squad includes as many as five Australian-raised athletes, among them Harry Hocking, Dylan Riley, Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter, and possibly Sam Green [1].
The most prominent of these is Hocking, whose journey reflects both his individual ambition and the competitive pressures within Australian rugby. After debuting for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby at age 19 in 2018, Hocking was regarded highly by coach Brad Thorn, who believed he possessed the caliber to earn 100 Test caps for Australia [1]. However, his career trajectory shifted in 2020 when he refused to accept a 60 percent salary reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic and was subsequently suspended by the Reds [1]. Hocking then joined Japanese club Suntory alongside Isaac Lucas, eventually securing Japanese citizenship through a five-year residency clause [1]. He received his first national team call-up from coach Jamie Joseph last year and made his international debut against Wales, but this Saturday's encounter with Australia will mark his first Test appearance against his birth nation [1].