Foreign rugby players at the 2019 Rugby World Cup are drawing attention with their Japanese-style bows after matches, apparently an expression of respect for Japanese culture and gratitude for local fans' support.
Members of the New Zealand team bowed deeply toward the stands after their Sept. 21 victory over South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama.
"It's really important for us to connect as much as we can with the Japanese people," team captain Kieran Read said. "We know that they love us as All Blacks, but we need to show a bit of love back to them."
Player Richie Mo'unga said they respected the culture of bowing.
Italian players also bowed after a match against Namibia at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, on the following day. Italy captain Sergio Parisse said that many fans watched the game until the end in the rain, and the team's bows expressed their gratitude.
Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara was moved by the national anthem before his team's first match at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture. Gaminara said it made him happy when children who entered the stadium with the players sang Uruguay's national anthem in Spanish, and he felt like he was in his own country.
According to the World Cup's official twitter account, some teams, including Italy and Namibia, cleaned up their locker rooms after the games.
Ruaridh McConnochie of England said, "We noticed that Japanese sports sides will leave the changing room very clean, and we are trying to do the same here."
Respect for each other's cultures is deeply rooted in rugby.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
