Following the conclusion of the opening weekend of the JRLO 2023-2024 season, it was confirmed that crowds were over 7,800 per match with a combined total of 70,575 people watching the 6 Division 1 games in Japan.
The fan turnout means an average of 11,762 per match and the biggest turnout was for the Tokyo
Suntory Sungoliath and Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Mark Egan, JRFU Strategic Adviser said of the match over the weekend, “A fantastic opening weekend for Japan Rugby League One, with global superstars in abundance and some scintillating rugby on display. Attendances were up 30% compared to the 1st round in 2022. I was fortunate to attend the Suntory Sungoliath v Kubota Spears game with another 18,500 enthusiastic fans at a sunny Chichibunomiya to see Sam Cane and Cheslin Kolbe make impressive League debuts in a highly entertaining game. All bodes well for an exciting season ahead.
The Japan Rugby League One organisers have set a target of achieving a first million-strong seasonal attendance in the competition’s third edition for 2023-2024. Across the first two seasons, collectively more than one million people attended matches.
Japan Rugby League One Chief of Operations Hajime Shoji said, “The season has started with the fans full of enthusiasm [for Japan Rugby League One].
The star players from overseas such as New Zealand and South Africa, in collaboration with Japanese players, are creating real excitement for rugby fans in Japan. Fans feel as if there are Rugby World Cup games in front [of them] every weekend. We would like to keep the momentum going to realise even greater fan engagement than we have had in our first two seasons.”
Photo Credit: JRLO 2023-2024 Aaron Smith in action on debut for Toyota Verblitz
- 37 players
- 6 coaches
- 11 tries
Stars from the international game who shone on the JRLO 2023-2024 opening weekend included Kobe smashing Honda Heat 80-15 – with debut tries for Brodie Retallick in a Man Of The Match Performance, and a pair of debut tries to Ardie Savea.
Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, and Pieter Steph Du Toit were all involved in their side Toyota Verblitz beating the Black Rams 15-8.
South African star Cheslin Kolbe also scored on debut in the JRLO and won a MOTM performance, starting at fullback, in the 52-26 away win against reigning champions Kubota Spears for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath – he was joined by All Blacks captain Sam Cane – both were infamously carded during the RWC 2023 final in Paris.
It was also confirmed this week that Argentinean Nicolas Sanchez would join Sungoliayj as an injury joker for injured Gareth Anscombe.
JRLO 2023-2024 Results – Round #1
Division One
- Kobelco Kobe Steelers 80-15 Mie Honda Heat
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars 30-29 Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
- Toyota Verblitz 15-8 Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
- Toshiba Brave Lupus 43-30 Shizuoka Blue Revs
- Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath 52-26 Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay
- Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 53-12 Yokohama Canon Eagles
Division Two
- NEC Green Rockets 32-29 Urayasu D-Rocks
- Red Hurricanes Osaka 26-22 Kyuden Voltex
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 52-7 Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves
Division Three
- Hino Red Dolphins 30-16 Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks
JRLO 2023-2024 Opening Round Brodie Retallick
JRLO Expands Broadcast Reach
Matches from the opening round of the JRLO were shown live across Africa for the first time, including in South Africa, as well as in New Zealand and on World Rugby’s global rugbypass.com website.
It was announced just before the opening weekend of fixtures that ESPN Africa would broadcast the 2023/2024 JRLO across Africa this season with two matches per week being shown of Division 1 on ESPN or ESPN2, with repeat broadcasts for additional viewing options, building up to the final in May 2024.
It was announced after the opening round, that TVNZ have secured rights to provide live coverage of a featured “Match of the Week” from JRLO Division 1 with English commentary. The deal secures 19 Division 1 games across the 2023-2024 season.
The Japan Rugby League One is expected to expand into further countries during the season – there is still no legal way to view matches in Asia outside of Japan.
The full fixture list for this JRLO season can be seen here.
JRLO News
- JRLO 2023-2024 Round 1 Preview.
- NTT JRLO Season 2023-2024 – Who Is Involved?
- Cross-Border Rugby 2024 – JRLO & Super Rugby NZ Teams Confirmed.
- RWC 2023 Final – The JRLO Connection.
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