For Japan forwards Pieter "Lappies" Labuschagne and James Moore, the build-up to Saturday's test with Fiji has involved some extra training as the pair prepare to pull on the colors of their adopted country for the first time.

"Jimmy and I have been rooming together and we took the time to make sure we know how to sing the national anthem, though we still need a little practice," said Labuschagne, who also has the responsibility of leading the team at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.

"I'm sure on Saturday when I am singing the national anthem it will hit me and I am sure I will be emotional."

Both players found out in June their request to be eligible for Japan -- on the grounds of three years continuous residency -- had been approved by World Rugby.

And both said they were honored to be asked to play for their adopted country, particularly as it gets set to host the Rugby World Cup, and being able to sing the anthem, "Kimigayo," will be a point of pride.

(Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne (C) leads the Japan captain’s run at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium)

"I'm really excited and motivated to get my first international cap and really proud to play for Japan, a country I really love," Australian-born Moore said Friday at the match venue.

"I always wanted to play international rugby and pretty soon after arriving here I fell in love with the country and the style of rugby and realized I wanted to play for Japan."

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Labuschagne, who was born and raised in South Africa, said hearing from World Rugby he was eligible to play for Japan was "a weight off his shoulders," adding that his family was also relieved and happy to hear he would be playing in the red-and-white.

The 30-year-old flanker, however, will still have some burden to bear as captain in his first test match, allowing regular skipper Michael Leitch to concentrate on his own game following a long injury lay-off.

(James Moore speaks to the media ahead of the Fiji game)

"Having the captaincy, it's a whole different ball game," he said, though he hopes he can be a calming influence and that he hopes "to make everyone a better version of themselves. If we work as a unit then we can achieve our goal."

Japan coach Jamie Joseph said he had had no doubt Labuschagne was the man for the job.

"It might be his first cap for Japan but he has played a lot of rugby. He is probably one of our most experienced players. The occasion was set for him, that's why he's captain," he said.

And as for Moore and Labuschagne's national anthem efforts, Joseph said it was important for all the players to have a proper understanding of who is supporting them. And that understanding could come through their clinics with the rugby community, school visits or lessons in Japanese culture and history.

A point Labuschagne expanded upon.

"It gave me a better understanding of what it is all about and how it all came together," he said of his singing lessons with Moore. "It definitely gave a whole different meaning to singing the national anthem but it is also really good to have the background while singing it and what it is all about."