Wallabies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan credits a Japanese connection and a Barbarians tour with his special finger tape, which has improved his passing game.
Lonergan has been one of the Wallabies' best in 2026, playing every single game this season as he prepares for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks in Auckland.
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The 28-year-old has done so with unique strapping around every finger, covering each fingertip with white tape which almost resembles a gauze wrap used for deep cuts.
However,inspiration comes from Japanese scrumhalf Kaito Shigeno after the two created a bond on the Barbarians UK tour in 2023, with Lonergan reguarily having the product shipped or loading up himself.
"He kept taping his fingers for training, and I asked him about it," he told reporters.
" I'd already used a bit of tape on my fingers but it never really worked that well. He had this special [tape], I think they use it in tennis or something, so he gave me a box and then said, 'try it' and I did and it was really good, and I've just used it ever since.
"Every time we go to Japan, I load up on tape, so it's just happened that way. It was a little way for me to be able to just put a bit of grip tech on them and then it just stays in and then I don't have to keep reapplying it. I found it helps me pass consistently in the game.
"I don't use it in training. I try to get a feel for the ball in training. I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I try to be able to pass with a slippery ball still without the tape on and then it doesn't make a huge difference when it comes to the game, putting the tape on, in terms of feel."
It's a full circle moment for Lonergan, debuting almost 12 months ago at the home of New Zealand rugby after a long Super Rugby apprenticeship.
On that day, the Brumbies leader was thrust into action early after a long-term hamstring injury to Tate McDermott, playing 62 minutes.
"I was thinking about that this morning, actually, getting off the bus at training. Last time I trained there, I was getting ready for my debut. It was pretty special," he reflected.
"Since then, I've been able to keep growing my game at Brumbies throughout the season and here at Test level."
Lonergan has started alongside three different flyhalves in the six games under Les Kiss' unbeaten start as Wallabies coach (five wins, one draw), unfazed by the disruption.
"It doesn't really change the way I play a whole lot," he added.
"Each ten has their own stamp they're going to put on the game. I think the tens we have in here are quite unique in their own ways but I don't think it's really changed how I approach it or what I need to do or not do throughout the game."
