Starting with the RWC, rugby was led into a new era. Reinforcement of the Japan National Rugby Union Team is imperative in order for Japan to be active as an international rugby union nation and to maintain the domestic popularity of the sport. Directed by the senior director, Zenzaburo Shirai, the JRFU successfully launched the Pacific Rim Championship so that Japan could play internationally with those nations in the same rugby skill level on a periodical basis.
This championship started in June 1996 with four nations, Japan, the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong, playing home and away matches. The championship was sponsored by companies from the second championship. While funds were raised mainly by Japan, other nations suffered declining attendance. This situation made it difficult to continue this championship. Concluding that reinforcement of the Tier 2 nations would be essential for rugby globalization, the IRB determined to assist this championship financially. From the fourth championship, three pacific nations, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, participated, where a total of six nations played in a round robin competition (Hong Kong were weakened because of the return to China, and decided to pull out of the championship). Japan claimed the title for the first time with a record of 4-1. In coordination with the IRB, this championship has been continued, changing its name into the “Super Powers Cup”, currently known as the “World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup”.
It was clearly meaningful for Japan that the JRFU could schedule the participation in this championship which served to strengthen the Japan National Rugby Union Team. The Japan national team was expected to pick up stream so as to make a dramatic leap onto the world stage.
This championship started in June 1996 with four nations, Japan, the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong, playing home and away matches. The championship was sponsored by companies from the second championship. While funds were raised mainly by Japan, other nations suffered declining attendance. This situation made it difficult to continue this championship. Concluding that reinforcement of the Tier 2 nations would be essential for rugby globalization, the IRB determined to assist this championship financially. From the fourth championship, three pacific nations, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, participated, where a total of six nations played in a round robin competition (Hong Kong were weakened because of the return to China, and decided to pull out of the championship). Japan claimed the title for the first time with a record of 4-1. In coordination with the IRB, this championship has been continued, changing its name into the “Super Powers Cup”, currently known as the “World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup”.
It was clearly meaningful for Japan that the JRFU could schedule the participation in this championship which served to strengthen the Japan National Rugby Union Team. The Japan national team was expected to pick up stream so as to make a dramatic leap onto the world stage.