JAPANESE TOUR MAY BE FIRST OF MANY
[From Our Rugby Reporter] At first glance it did not look like a touring Rugby party as the University of Doshisha team somewhat shyly sidled through the customs barrier at the Christchurch International Airport yesterday afternoon. To New Zealand Rugby followers used to sizing up a team into backs and forwards through the simple test of weight and height, the Japanese players all looked to be about the same physically.
And statistically they probably are, for the heaviest man is 13st 11b and the tallest 6ft. But the main impression left by the 25 players in the
side is that all looked superbly fit, supporting the contention of the Canterbury University players who toured Japan last year that their brand of attacking Rugby is probably the most attractive played by any country. The manager, Mr Shigeru (Konno, who was the attache to the New Zealand Olympic team at Tokyo, proved himself a Rugby realist when replying to his first question. SPEED, FITNESS Asked if the Doshisha team would play traditional Japanese Rugby or would attempt to match the prevalent New Zealand style of play, he smiled and said: “We will use our speed and fitness; it would be foolish to try and match you in the tight play.” Mr Konno had no illusions about the task that will confront the Japanese team in its eight matches in New Zealand. “We realise that we are coming to the home of Rugby and that your standards might be far higher than ours. “In 1957 when your New Zealand colts team toured Japan we received a rude awakening. In polite terms you gave us a thrashing. “But we have one consolation that most of that team became All Blacks; players such as Meads, Whineray, Tremain, Briscoe, Brown were a bit too much for us then. “However, we think we have improved. Now we are interested to see just how much our play has improved and if we can match your strong university sides.” Asked if the Japanese Rugby Union, of which Mr Konno is a member, might approach
the New Zealand Union for matches between the two countries if this tour showed that the standard of Japanese Rugby was high enough, Mr Konno said that thought was in his mind. “Not internationals, mind you; rather the possibility of an exchange of tours on a level that would benefit both countries. “This tour is being viewed with great interest in Japan,” said Mr Konno. “It is the first Japanese university team to tour overseas since the war and if it is successful, or we just play well, it could be a start for more tours. INTEREST IN JAPAN “The interest is such that one of the major Japanese newspapers will be sending a correspondent to cover most of the tour. “That was hot done when the All-Japanese team toured Canada in 1963 but New Zealand is regarded with some awe in Japanese Rugby circles and there is a great deal of public interest in this tour in Japan.” The Japanese team received a welcome from a large number of people at the airport. As well as the members of the Canterbury University Rugby team, Mr J. S. Pellot, the honorary Japanese consul in Christchurch, Mr C. H. Perkins, a member of the University of Canterbury council, Mr E. B. E. Taylor, a former New Zealand ambassador to Japan, Mr H. C. Blazey, vice-president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and Mr A. K. Johnson, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, were present.
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Press, Volume CV, Issue 31012, 18 March 1966, Page 13
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595JAPANESE TOUR MAY BE FIRST OF MANY Press, Volume CV, Issue 31012, 18 March 1966, Page 13
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