{"id":18915,"date":"2023-05-10T15:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T03:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=18915"},"modified":"2023-05-19T08:02:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T20:02:09","slug":"new-zealand-rugby-and-japan-rugby-football-union-enter-memorandum-of-understanding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/05\/10\/new-zealand-rugby-and-japan-rugby-football-union-enter-memorandum-of-understanding\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Rugby and Japan Rugby Football Union enter Memorandum of Understanding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><strong>Image credit: <\/strong>Getty Images \/ All Blacks v Brave Blossoms at National Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Tokyo Japan<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the relationship between the two national unions and grow the game across the Asia Pacific region.<\/p>\n<p>The MoU will see the two unions explore strategic and commercial opportunities including more regular matches between the All Blacks, All Blacks XV and M\u0101ori All Blacks and Japan Rugby\u2019s Brave Blossoms and Japan XV.<\/p>\n<p>The All Blacks, M\u0101ori All Blacks and All Blacks XV will play the Brave Blossoms and Japan XV on a regular basis in Japan, from 2024 to 2027.<\/p>\n<p>There will also be a commitment to explore opportunities for New Zealand-based Super Rugby teams to play Japan League One outside of core DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition windows, and for the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens to play the Japan Sevens outside of existing tournaments.<\/p>\n<p>In the women\u2019s rugby space, opportunities will be discussed around the inclusion of some of Japan\u2019s top women\u2019s players to play in the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup competitions.<\/p>\n<p>NZR CEO Mark Robinson said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is great to formalise our relationship with Japan Rugby, we have a long-standing and strong history of collaboration and mutual respect on and off the field, as well as a shared love for rugby and the values our game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe MoU provides us with opportunities for our Teams in Black, commercial partners, and other professional teams and competitions to work more closely together. The intention is for teams across the spectrum to play more regular matches, while also looking at how our men\u2019s and women\u2019s competitions could work together in the longer term.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>JRFU CEO, Kensuke Iwabuchi said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJapan Rugby acknowledges the heritage of New Zealand Rugby and the shared respect for the integrity of our respective teams and competitions. We have a shared love of rugby and the values that the game stands for on and off the field, including teamwork, hard work, honesty and integrity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn working more closely together, NZR and JRFU acknowledge the importance of maintaining and respecting the heritage, competitiveness and commercial operations of existing rugby competitions played in Japan and New Zealand or involving teams from Japan and New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Image credit: Getty Images \/ All Blacks v Brave Blossoms at National Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Tokyo Japan New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the relationship between the two national unions and grow the game across the Asia Pacific region&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18916,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"New Zealand Rugby and Japan Rugby Football Union enter Memorandum of Understanding\r\n\r\nNew Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the relationship between the two national unions and grow the game across the Asia Pacific region.\r\n\r\nRead More : https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-4V5","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-4V5","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19251,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/07\/17\/maori-all-blacks-to-play-two-matches-in-japan-in-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":0},"title":"M\u0101ori All Blacks to play two matches in Japan in 2024","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 17, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"CREDIT: IMAGO\/COLORSPORT \/ John Cowpland The M\u0101ori All Blacks will play two matches against the Japan XV as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024. The two\u00a0matches will be played on Saturday, 29 June and Saturday, 6 July next year and will mark just the fourth time the M\u0101ori\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/24MAORI-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C848&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/24MAORI-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C848&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/24MAORI-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C848&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/24MAORI-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C848&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/24MAORI-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C848&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19091,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/06\/18\/all-blacks-xv-squad-named-for-japan-tour\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":1},"title":"ALL BLACKS XV SQUAD NAMED FOR JAPAN TOUR","author":"admin_hland","date":"June 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The 30-strong All Blacks XV squad was selected by the All Blacks coaching team of Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan for the 2023 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup against Japan XV and Brave Blossoms. The squad\u00a0includes nine players with Test experience including Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Akira Ioane, Pita Gus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-1441167999__FocusFillWyItMC4xMiIsIi0wLjQ5IiwxMTAwLDQzMF0.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-1441167999__FocusFillWyItMC4xMiIsIi0wLjQ5IiwxMTAwLDQzMF0.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-1441167999__FocusFillWyItMC4xMiIsIi0wLjQ5IiwxMTAwLDQzMF0.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-1441167999__FocusFillWyItMC4xMiIsIi0wLjQ5IiwxMTAwLDQzMF0.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-1441167999__FocusFillWyItMC4xMiIsIi0wLjQ5IiwxMTAwLDQzMF0.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19230,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/07\/13\/all-blacks-xv-team-named-for-clash-against-brave-blossoms\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":2},"title":"All Blacks XV team named for clash against Brave Blossoms","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"IMAGE CREDIT: Action Press \/ Smartframe by Toru Hanai CAPTION: All Blacks XV Stephen Perofeta\u00a0 scores try against Japan XV,\u00a0 at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, July 08, 2023. The All Blacks XV team has been named ahead of their match against the Brave Blossoms at EGAO Kenko Stadium in Kumamoto\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ab15ddxx-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ab15ddxx-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ab15ddxx-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ab15ddxx-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ab15ddxx-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19196,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/07\/08\/all-blacks-xv-overcome-early-wobbles-to-take-win-in-japan\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":3},"title":"All Blacks XV overcome early wobbles to take win in Japan","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The All Blacks XV have shaken off some first half wobbles to take a comfortable win in the first game of their short Japan tour. A stronger second half featuring some free-flowing attack that put on 27 points and a disciplined defence that didn't allow any response from the hosts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/vvvvss.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/vvvvss.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/vvvvss.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/vvvvss.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19180,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/07\/06\/all-blacks-xv-team-named-for-first-clash-against-japan-xv\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":4},"title":"All Blacks XV team named for first clash against Japan XV","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The All Blacks XV team has been named to play Japan XV at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday 8 July, kick-off at 5.00PM JST (8.00PM NZST). The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport. The matchday 23 is as follows (Super Rugby Club, Province) Xavier Numia (Hurricanes,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/358090306_228053123401302_6775096571402841327_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/358090306_228053123401302_6775096571402841327_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/358090306_228053123401302_6775096571402841327_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/358090306_228053123401302_6775096571402841327_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/358090306_228053123401302_6775096571402841327_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10989,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/03\/09\/new-high-performance-team-to-tour-from-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":18915,"position":5},"title":"New high performance team to tour from 2020","author":"admin_hland","date":"March 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today announced that a new high performance team will assemble this year and undertake a mini tour of Northern Hemisphere venues. The team, named the All Blacks XV, will play three matches in the last weekend of October and first two weekends of November. NZR\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/news19.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/news19.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/news19.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/news19.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/nzljap.jpg?fit=650%2C434&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18915"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18918,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18915\/revisions\/18918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}