Former PRIDE Fighting Championships ring announcer Lenne Hardt will be on hand to introduce the teams at Sunday’s highly-anticipated Kubota Spears versus Suntory Sungoliath clash at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
The much-admired American voice actress and announcer rose to fame in Japan as the highly-energetic and high-pitched English ring announcer for former mixed martial arts promotion PRIDE FC which packed over 70,000 fans in its heyday in venues such as the National Stadium in Tokyo.
The special pre-match introduction is part of a host of fan engagement activities by reigning champions Kubota such as free support flags for all visitors, a pitchside pre-match talk show and an allocated ‘cheering stand’.
Designated hosts Kubota will be expected to hand debuts to a brace of World Cup stars in a key game which is a repeat of last season’s semi-finals.
New Zealand’s 90-test veteran Dane Coles made a post-World Cup retirement u-turn to sign for Frans Ludeke’s side as a replacement for injured Springbok Malcolm Marx while Welsh full-back Liam Williams is also in line for his club debut.
Suntory can call on All Blacks captain Sam Cane for the first time after the League One newcomer has completed his two-match suspension (during pre-season) following his sending off in the World Cup final.
South Africa’s two-time World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe made his Suntory bow in pre-season action against Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday and will be aiming to score his first points for his new club.
RugbyJP.com will be on the ground covering Sunday’s blockbuster game in person. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage.
Access:
5 minutes walk from Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Times:
Gates open: 12:30
General admission: 13:00
Priority admission: 12:50
Kick off: 14.30 KO
Tickets:
Tickets are available through host team Kubota Spears and can be purchased on the day at their ticket booth inside Chichibu’s main gates
Broadcast:
J SPORTS 1 (BS free)
J SPORTS On Demand (Free for members)
TOKYO MX
Picture courtesy of Kubota Spears
Thanks for all the useful access/ticket info. Buying tickets to L1 matches was a confusing mess last year!