Japan

turboboy says...

I think SBW is the type of person who always wants to try new things and, if possible, make some bloody good money out of it. If you have got the talent, are in demand why shouldn't he. Yes I would like to see him play rugby in NZ colours but if he becomes bored or complacent it would be worse than moving on

Posted 14:08 06th September 2012

AWEBLAX says...

@Preest agree with everything you say 110% SBW imo just has no idea how much MANA their is in that famous black jersey, Richie and Dan could have made hundreds of thousands of dollars over seas, but they like the jersey have MANA.......

Posted 06:49 06th September 2012

Tony says...

Does anyone know where you can find schedules for the Japanese Top League? I'm in Japan on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October but I can't seem to find reference to what games are on

Posted 10:01 03rd September 2012

tha_mai says...

kinsman - doesn't make the international news much but there's been some positive activity through Asia - across to Dubai, like last year 16 coaching events in 11 countries mostly with Kirwan and Scotland's Frank Hadden. The Bangkok visit was six days of coaching events, Jonah Lomu and Lawrence Dallaglio were involved at some too.

Posted 01:06 03rd September 2012

kinsman says...

@ tha_mai, great to hear about the publicity being generated there. This also made the main papers here in the Middle East which I guess suggests that someone cares...

@ PREEST, I totally understand your points on loyalty but also consider that Williams, by the continual controversy generated by his changing sports (of course allied to his being a great sportsman) has generated more global publicity for our game than anyone since Jonah. That cannot be a bad thing.

As an aside, I was pleasantly surprised to note that even the New York Times website has a rugby section these days. (and they also have an article on SBW moving to Japan)

Posted 10:47 02nd September 2012

tha_mai says...

carpelone - you may not, and i don't care if you don't. Do you not support international rugby as a growing sport?

but for Asian rugby (fyi 12% of the world's registered players are here - 60% of world population and 80% of world's youth - a huge market) it is big news - on Friday this made the main daily newspapers from Thailand to Taiwan, and a headline story in Japan and Asia news sites today. There has not been a single overseas international to generate this kind of publicity since John Kirwan as a player and that was along time ago now.

Posted 10:46 01st September 2012

carpelone says...

who really cares

Posted 13:55 31st August 2012

kpe12 says...

Will be interesting to watch him play. I hope Nonu plays for the Black Rams on a short contract cause those two head to head is always interesting.

Must get tickets for the Suntory v Panasonic game.

Posted 15:01 30th August 2012