Tom Banks returns to help Australia A to thrilling win over Japan
Wallabies fullback Tom Banks has made a successful return from a sickening arm injury as Australia A claimed a last-gasp 22-21 win over a Japan XV in Fukuoka.
Banks played 40 minutes and scored a try on Saturday as the tourists made it two wins from two games against the Japan XV containing many Test players.
It was his first match since suffering a badly broken arm in a fall during an aerial contest in the first Test against England in Perth three months ago.
The Australians left it late to claim victory with flyhalf Tane Edmed slotting an angled conversion with time up at Best Denki Stadium.
Down 21-15 with time running out, hooker Richie Asiata had shunted over for a try from a rolling maul drive.
Banks did everything required to prove his readiness for a potential return to the Wallabies squad ahead of the upcoming European tour, as did starting fullback Jock Campbell who played the opening 40 minutes and also bagged a try.
Banks was on the field for just three minutes when he burst onto a crisp wide pass from Edmed 65 metres out, before linking with winger Dylan Pietsch.
Pietsch then passed back to Banks who displayed some neat footwork to shrug off the cover defence for an impressive try and a 15-8 lead.
The Australians fought back twice during the game. They clawed back to 10-8 at half-time after being down 8-0 after as many minutes.
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James O'Connor comments are correct. Having been to the trainings at CHCH 's Malvern Park, there trainings have been fast and furious . They have stepped up a gear on previous seasons. James looks sharp. As do all the new guys. Ethan Blackadder is in great nick. I believe he is going to have great 2025. Off the field a good guy. Same goes for guys like Dominic Gardiner, Cullen Grace, George Bower. As has been the case for the last few years, great seeing Ethan and Dominic following in the footsteps of there Dads Todd Blackadder and Angus Gardiner, who were big parts of the first title winning Crusader teams, Todd the captain.
Go to commentsIt’s very clearly not intentional.
Certainly makes eye contact, and it’s certainly reckless which means he’s facing anything between an 8 - 208 week ban. Which is quite a range!
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