New Zealand Rugby and Japan have agreed on a deal that will see the All Blacks and their franchise teams help Japanese rugby become one of the sport’s superpowers.
Starting from 2024, both nations will meet regularly until 2027 as part of a wide-ranging deal announced on Wednesday. In addition, New Zealand’s franchise teams will also play against Japanese clubs outside of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Furthermore, the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV will face their Japanese counterparts, providing more opportunities for the development of Japanese rugby.
It’s an exciting partnership between two nations that share a passion for rugby and a commitment to growing the sport.
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The agreement also has scope for the women’s and Sevens teams from New Zealand and Japan to play each other more often. “It is great to formalise our relationship with Japan Rugby,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said in a statement.
“The intention is for teams across the spectrum to play more regular matches, while also looking at how our men’s and women’s competitions could work together in the longer term.”
Japan put in strong showings at the last two men’s Rugby World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals in 2019 as hosts. The Brave Blossoms also pulled off shock wins over the Springboks and Samoa at the 2015 finals in England, where they narrowly failed to reach the knockout stages.
The Japanese lost 38-31 to the All Blacks when they played in Tokyo in October. The two teams have played five official Tests since 1995.
© Agence France-Presse
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