Rugby looks to untapped markets in Asia

That tattoo taboo is over played. More and more younger Japanese are getting inked and the stigma of tats has diminished greatly.The Ainu the true Japanese use tattoos all the time. Surely an international hotel has no concerns. This is just pandering by the All Blacks. Michael Phelps has swam in Japan with no problem. Someone is telling the ABs porkies. Cultural awareness no. Just arrived media swallowing BS? yes.

untapped markets in Asia.....begin by playing on grass at the lower levels instead of rock hard dirt!!!

Should be a good full-on match. Not like some of the friendly show-case football games by visiting big name teams. Both coaches and some of the players jobs are on the line. But gain popularity among Japanese? Perhaps a bit as a spectator sport. As for the J-team, who are technically competent, still have a very long way to go in terms of raw aggression and power. John Kirwin should look to the sumo not the samurai.

Japan is the least of the untapped markets in Asia, having more registered players (albeit not very good ones) than the Kiwis or Convicts.

And if they are serious about tapping a market, they could show this match free to air, instead of offering it only on wowow or jsports.

I baulked at these ticket prices too at first. 7000 yen for a seat behind the goalposts? Get out of here, I'd rather watch it at a pub. So I went for "prime" tickets instead. shouganai.

spudman,

I agree in this case, if a bunch of international sports stars turn up to use your swimming pool but have tattoos would anyone seriously send them packing? On the contrary the pool operators would be taking photos for sure... "hey look All Blacks in our pool! Ganbatte ganbatte!"

So that rule applies to nobodies only I reckon. But any full credit to the All Blacks for having "cultural sensitivity" on their minds. Heck someone might even be able to get them to have a meal of whale too with this fine attitude.

Yeap, its well be a good show... ;-) And some Fiji's players have too a tattoos on their legs and foots. Maybe, they too from Yakujza? :-) Davidattokyo, what that "Ganbatte"?

"Ganbatte ganbatte" is how some Japanese people think the words to the "Kamate kamate" haka goes. ("ganbatte" means "try one's best")

I will be watching rugby for the first time. I hope that they have instructions on how the game is played otherwise not many people will know what is happening. also most of my japanese friends dont know about the game. I guess they arent promoting the game to japanese people. The only people who will be there will be australians and new zealanders i expect. should be easy to find a seat then.

Years ago a battery maker used a bunch of g'jin dressed in black chanting "Gambatte Gambatte" to emphasise that their batteries go a long time.

According to an email I received yesterday from JRFU the 7,000 yen tickets are sold out - there are tickets available at 16,000 and 14,000.

I was told on Wednesday by a kiwi in the know that there will be walk-in tickets available at 4,000 but I don't see that in the email.

Is it on TV?

Somehow, I don't think Asians will warm to a game that has 30 or more scrums a game, and sees the ball kicked into touch or hoisted up every couple of rucks - not to mention constant penalties being given. If they made the game more free flowing and exciting, maybe. Also, unless Asians can physically compete across the board with the Rugby powerhouses - and the giants in their teams, will they support it? Methinks Japan's only hope is to purchase a team full of Polynesians - they certainly have enough money.