Japan to play 'Classic All Blacks' again

Japan will face off against a 'Classic All Blacks' selection in a friendly in Tokyo on May 31.

The New Zealanders will field a powerful side including former All Blacks Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett, Carl Hayman and Andrew Mehrtens for the game.

"We were in Japan last year to give the boys from Japan a chance to get ready for the Rugby World Cup," Classic All Blacks manager Andy Haden said.

"We are delighted we have been asked back this year to help the Japan Rugby Football Union's long-term vision of bringing the Rugby World Cup to Asia."

Japan are expected to bid for the hosting rights for the 2015 Rugby World Cup having lost out to New Zealand for the 2011 tournament.

Last year the Classic All Blacks beat the John Kirwan-coached side 35-26 and 36-6 in two matches in Japan.

Japan to play 'Classic All Blacks' again - Latest rugby news - RugbyHeaven

THIS is the sort of thing that promotes rugby, not demonstration matches between sides that the spectators have no affiliation with...

Geezus - "Classic" All Blacks? I wonder how they'd do against the incumbent side! If you ever needed proof of the talent drain to Europe...

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Originally Posted by AndyS

THIS is the sort of thing that promotes rugby, not demonstration matches between sides that the spectators have no affiliation with...

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You don't just have to do one and not the other. Look at Japanese soccer - it was the J-League that took it to the next level in the early nineties but, before that, it was the annual Toyota Cup match (between the European and South American champions) that helped create the buzz in the first place.