New Zealand Rugby and Japan Rugby Football Union have signed a groundbreaking partnership in an effort to grow the game across the Asia Pacific region.
The Memorandum of Understanding deal will see the All Blacks, Māori All Blacks, and All Blacks XV play the Brave Blossoms regularly from 2024 to 2027.
There will also be discussions for Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific sides to play Japan League One teams outside their respective competition windows, as well as the inclusion of Japan's best women's players in Super Rugby Aupiki and Farah Palmer Cup.
With several All Blacks stars off to Japan after the Rugby World Cup, the groundbreaking deal could see the likes of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga play their former teams.
But for now, NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson is delighted to announce the deal, and is looking forward to bridging the gap between the two nations.
"It 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," he said in a statement.
"The 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's and women's competitions could work together in the longer term."
