In January, in an attempt to support Tonga, which was damaged by a large-scale eruption of a submarine volcano, the Japan Rugby Union will play a charity match between a team centered on Japanese national team candidates and a team of players with roots in Tonga. Will be held in June.
According to the association, the charity match will be held on June 11th at the Prince Chichibu Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, with a special team "EMERGING BLOSSOMS" centered on Japanese national team candidates and players with roots in Tonga who are enrolled in League One. The "TONGA SAMURAI XV" to be made will play against each other.
Each member will be announced in the future, but the Tonga team will hold a last-minute training camp in Kochi prefecture, where the Tonga national team pre-camped at the Rugby World Cup Japan tournament three years ago.
The proceeds of this match, such as admission fees, will be used to support Tonga.
Shigetaka Mori, Chairman of the Japan Rugby Union, said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to further strengthen the bond between Japan and Tonga and foster mutual friendship through the holding of a charity match.