In an unprecedented collaboration, the Nippon TV variety show 'Kintore,' starring King & Prince, will join forces with the broadcast of Japan's top rugby league, 'Japan Rugby League One,' on March 22, 2025. This collaboration blends entertainment with sports, promising an engaging experience for viewers.
Scheduled to air from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, 'Kintore' will feature a special segment called 'Under-Arm Rugby,' where cast members will face off against top rugby players. King & Prince, including members Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi, along with popular comedians Gekidan Hitori and Hiroya Yamazaki, will take on players from the East Shiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, the reigning champions of the Japan Rugby League One.
Guests will include popular entertainer Tsubaki Naimu, who will also judge the culinary segment where King & Prince and their guest will compete in a cooking challenge titled 'Michi-no-Eki Three Ingredients Cooking.' The group will select three local ingredients from 'Michi-no-Eki Fujiyama' and create unique pizzas, showcasing not only their culinary skills but also the local flavors.
As they navigate through the mini rugby games, the cast, who lack significant rugby experience, will try to tackle the formidable competition head-on. With the TV show aiming to solve common financial doubts and educate viewers on money management, this episode will blend educational segments with dynamic sports challenges.
Hosted by the well-known rugby enthusiast and former member of Arashi, Sho Sakurai, the episode will also feature live commentary from former rugby stars, including Shota Onishi, who participated in the 2007 World Cup, Shoichi Horie, a veteran player from four editions of the World Cup, and Kenki Fukuoka, who was vital in advancing Japan to the quarter-finals in the 2019 World Cup. This star-studded line-up promises to provide viewers with insider knowledge and analysis, improving their understanding of the rugby action on display.
As excitement builds for the much-anticipated match between the East Shiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, both teams boast impressive rosters lined with national team players. The match itself is a struggle for dominance, with the East Shiba team looking to defend their title against the Saitama Panasonic, who are eager for redemption after falling short in last season’s finals.
Throughout the broadcast, viewers will witness King & Prince experiencing firsthand the intensity and strategy that goes into professional rugby. Given their novel approach, the combination of entertainment and sports shows the potential for broadening the audience for rugby in Japan.
The collaboration will culminate in the live broadcast from Chichibu Rugby Stadium, offering fans an up-close view of the action as it unfolds. Whether you're a seasoned rugby fan or a newcomer to the sport, this unique collaboration aims to captivate a wide audience by intertwining entertainment with high-stakes sports.
Don't miss this exciting blend of variety and sports entertainment airing on Nippon TV!
