Anne O'Connell was learning how to cheer 'best of luck' in Japanese.
Ms O'Connell is from Cork in Ireland, but her daughter had been in Brisbane for about a year when she travelled to Australia. That there was to be a rugby match between her nation's team and Japan was a happy bonus.
Then the game was moved to the Hunter and she reasoned, in for a penny.
She was awash in her country's colours on Saturday evening as she approached the McDonald Jones Stadium, where a crowd of Japan supporters were mingling ahead of the clash.
Ms O'Connell is a teacher, and did what teachers do - she looked for someone to learn from.
At the stands, where the rival team's supporter were handing out merchandise, she introduced herself and asked for the Japanese for 'best of luck'.
She felt she already had hers. Earlier, she had left her accomodation at the Rydges on Honeysuckle and bumped into the Ireland players who were staying at the same establishment. She joked that those back home would think she was stalking them.
She pulled up a photo on her phone. It showed a petite Ms O'Connell dwarfed but beaming surrounded by giants.
"I was motoring down on my own and there they were all practicing," she said. "So, they had a great old laugh."
"Newcastle is beautiful," she added, beaming again as she wandered off to find more Irish supporters.
At the opposite edge of the crowd, four-year-old Togo Hiyashi was with his mum, Satomi, come from Sydney for the match.
Togo's older sister Sayaka, 7, was performing with the children's cheerleaders at half-time.
Japan would have a tough fight against Ireland, Ms Hiyashi said, but she was optimistic about their chances.
Earlier, in Brisbane, the Wallabies had conceded a devastating second-half defeat to France after entering the half-time break with a 21-10 lead. The French ran riot in the second half, posting 25 unanswered points to seal the victory 42-26.
Ireland last faced Japan in November, where they posted a dominating performance to cinch the win 41-10.
At the ticket booths, organisers were expecting a crowd over 10,000 for the game with tickets selling ahead of the doors opening about 6.30pm.
