The Super W season is well underway, with two new Japanese players in the Brumbies women' side this season: Mana Furuta and Makoto Lavemai, who are both members of the Japanese National team, the Sakura Fifteen.
The Brumbies, together with four other Australian teams, and a Fijian club, Fijian Drua, will compete for the top spot in women's rugby.
The Japanese duo arrived in Australia, with the hopes of further strengthening their play, ahead of the rugby world cup held in New Zealand in October.
"I want to be able to say, that I did the best preparation I could do for the World Cup" Mana tells SBS Japanese, who wants to "absorb as much as possible", the skills necessary to compete against world's top players- and Australia, one of the best place to do so.
For Makoto, who was a member of the previous world cup squad, the past 5 years has not being particularly easy. Riddled with injury and loss of motivation, Makoto was determined to pick up her game again before the world cup.
Mana Furuta Source: Lachlan Lawson
"I needed to give myself a new challenge" says Makoto.
Playing against much bigger and faster opponent has always being a challenge for the Japanese national team, and the pair hopes to learn through their experience of playing in the Super W.
Makoto Lavemai Source: Lachlan Lawson
"How I go around the bigger, faster player is my homework" says Mana.
"I am figuring out ways to use my smaller physique to an advantage during a scrum" says Makoto.
Their time with the Brumbies family, has so far been positive and welcoming.
"The Brumbies value their teammates so much, and place great importance on team culture and creating a team atmosphere" says Mana.
"When a player is feeling down, they immediately go to that player and comfort them" says Makoto.
Their next match will be April 3 at Viking Park in Canberra, against Perth's Western Force. Six days later, on April 9, the Brumbies will take on Fijian Drua, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. For more information, click here.
For their audio interview in Japanese click below
Listen to SBS Japanese Radio on Tue, Thu and Sat from 10pm
