Japan’s famous Rugby World Cup win is coming to a screen near you | Robert Kitson


Films about Brave Blossoms and the story of Dan Carter plus a play about Bill McLaren make perfect curtain-raisers

For years it was widely assumed rugby would not translate easily to stage and screen. With the odd exception – Up ’n’ Under, Stand Up and Fight and Invictus, the Clint Eastwood‑directed film of South Africa’s extraordinary 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon – few have felt the need to apply theatrical war paint to help the game woo a wider audience.

Suddenly all that is changing. Entering stage left are not just one or two but three intriguing rugby‑related productions, each hoping to capitalise on the extra interest set to be generated by the World Cup in Japan this month.

Related: Shaun Edwards looks beyond Japan to World Cup success with France in 2023

Related: Chris Robshaw: ‘When Eddie Jones calls you it’s normally not good news’ | Donald McRae

Continue reading...