The reinforcement plan for the Japan National Rugby Union Team that had been implemented beginning in 1965 surely bore fruit. During the New Zealand tour in May 1968, the Japan national team gain an epoch-making victory over the Junior All Blacks 23-19.
Pre-arranged plays called “KANPEI” solely developed by Japan, where FB joined in the offense, worked quite well. This Japanese rugby style, where FB Masaharu Mantani easily swept past the opponent's BK line and both WTBs Tadayuki Ito and Yoshihiro Sakata ran along both side lines, received high marks in New Zealand fascinating the spectators. This match can be expressed as a historical and legendary match where Japanese rugby was approved by the world.
Pre-arranged plays called “KANPEI” solely developed by Japan, where FB joined in the offense, worked quite well. This Japanese rugby style, where FB Masaharu Mantani easily swept past the opponent's BK line and both WTBs Tadayuki Ito and Yoshihiro Sakata ran along both side lines, received high marks in New Zealand fascinating the spectators. This match can be expressed as a historical and legendary match where Japanese rugby was approved by the world.