Panasonic continues to grow their partnership with the
Highlanders rugby team.
The relationship between Panasonic and the Southern rugby
franchise started last year, and part of the deal includes
Panasonic's logo featuring on the back of the Highlanders jersey
for the past three regular-season games and playoff games. The
Highlanders are through to the first round of the playoffs with two
rounds left to play.
The Highlanders are linked with Japanese club the Panasonic Wild
Knights. Their players have visited New Zealand over the past year
to train with the Highlanders, and Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph
and Assistant Coach Tony Brown visited Panasonic coaches Robbie
Deans and Phil Mooney in Japan. The Highlanders reserve halfback
Fumiaki Tanaka has also played for the Panasonic team on
occasion.
Highlanders General Manager Roger Clark said the partnership was
a good fit for both teams.
''It is something that has been ongoing for a while now and it
benefits both them and us in a number of ways,'' he said.
Japan is launching its own Super Rugby team next year and rugby
is gaining popularity in Japan.
