BERRY’S Will Miller and his NSW Waratahs will be back in Tokyo in June as part of the Chichibunomiya Minato Rugby Festival, which is a celebration of the game in that part of the world.
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As part of the festival, the team will play a match against Japanese Top League side NEC Green Rockets on Sunday, June 17 during a break in the Vodafone Super Rugby schedule.
NSW Rugby and NSW Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore said the match was important for a range of reasons.
“Rugby is a global sport and in Asia, particularly in Japan, the sport is growing fast so it’s fantastic that we are able to help with the promotion of the game in that market,” Hore said.
“At the same time, our aim is to increase our own global brand awareness in an emerging market, both in terms of rugby and commercially.”
NSW Waratahs Coach Daryl Gibson said with the game to be played during the Super Rugby break, the match is also an opportunity for younger members of the NSW Waratahs team to experience rugby at an international level.
“We had a similar opportunity last year and matches like these offer players the chance to play an international team in a different environment,” Gibson said.
“The Japanese people love their rugby and it’s a great chance for us to be part of an international festival.”
