The Rise of Rugby in Japan: What New Zealanders Must Know

Rugby has always been dear to the people of New Zealand in one way or another. The All Blacks have been the epitome of world rugby over the years, having dominated the world scene for periods of time. However, as the global landscape of rugby continues to evolve, one country has emerged as a surprising yet formidable contender: Japan.

The growth of rugby in Japan has been on the rise, and the focus of this sport has caught the eyes of many rugby fans across the globe, including the people of New Zealand. For Kiwi fans, it is imperative to know this change, not simply from the sporting perspective but for the larger picture of what the changes mean for rugby in the coming years.

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Japan’s Rugby Awakening: History of the Company

Rugby has been played in Japan for more than a hundred years but it has not been a popular sport during most of that time. The shift however was felt in the late 20th and early 21st century as the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) started pumping in money towards the growth of the sport. This included the development of better domestic leagues, the acquisition of international players, and the development of rugby culture especially among the youth.

Nevertheless, Japan’s biggest rugby triumph happened in 2015 at the Rugby World Cup in England. The Japanese rugby team, also known as the Brave Blossoms, staged one of the biggest upsets in rugby history by beating South Africa 34-32, known as the Brighton Miracle.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup: A Defining Moment

Japan’s 2019 hosting of the Rugby World Cup can be considered as one of the most significant events in the growth of the sport in the country and globally. Japan was the first Asian country to be given the privilege of hosting the tournament and the event was a cracker in every sense of the word. The tournament received a lot of positive feedback for the organization, the fans, and especially from the most active and enthusiastic Japanese fans.

In Rugby, the Brave Blossoms overachieved by reaching the quarter-final for the first time in history, beating stronger teams like Ireland and Scotland. This performance not only assured Japan’s position as the rising rugby nation but also enthralled the rugby audience worldwide specifically the people of New Zealand. For the people of New Zealand, who are used to the All Blacks’ victory, the Japanese victory was a demonstration of the fact that the rugby world is gradually expanding and becoming more diverse.

Japan’s Rugby Success: A Closer Look

Japan’s rise to the top in rugby union can be useful in learning a few crucial aspects by New Zealanders. One of the factors that cannot be overlooked is the need to involve locals in the development process. It was therefore not a surprise that Japan emerged victorious as they had invested so much time and resources into youth development, coaching and standard of facilities. Japan has and continues to invest in the youth in the sport of rugby, producing a strong and fertile ground for the future of rugby.

Another significant lesson is the importance of diversity and creativity as seen in the way the different teams were formed. Japan’s domestic leagues have opened their doors to foreign players as well as coaches and this has introduced new ideas and strategies in the game. This has made Japan adopt a new approach of playing rugby that incorporates the discipline of the Japanese people with the flair of international rugby.

For New Zealand, where rugby is a part of the nation’s culture, these lessons are more important. This is where the continued growth of other nations including Japan can be seen as a threat and a challenge to the All Blacks and the rest of the world, meaning that change is a necessity.

The Future of Rugby in Japan

In the future, one can observe that rugby in Japan has great potential. The hosting of the 2019 Rugby World Cup has also paved the way for future expansion of the sport with more people getting involved at the basic level and more and more people becoming fans. There is also the Japan Rugby League One, which is Japan’s professional league that has also played a big role in advancing the growth of the sport.

Thus, Japan’s growth in rugby is an interesting phenomenon for New Zealanders as well as a threat and a chance. In the ever-growing international rugby competition, the All Blacks will have to develop and change in order to stay on top of the world. On the same note, the increased interest in rugby in Japan could be a chance to foster partnerships such as players’ transfer, coaches’ cooperation, and even more, frequent games between two countries.

Final Notes

Rugby has witnessed remarkable growth in Japan in the recent past and this is a very encouraging trend. To the people of New Zealand, it is important to grasp this shift in order to better comprehend the shifting pattern of world rugby. Japan’s experience as a rugby newcomer painting a picture of how the country has steadily grown into a rugby powerhouse is a development process that can be emulated by other emerging rugby nations around the world.

This is an invited post not written by Rugby Asia 247.