*This content was translated by AI.
The OK Outman rugby team is embarking on a rigorous training process to achieve a higher level of competitiveness through a test match against a Japanese corporate team.
On the 23rd, the Outman rugby team announced that it will play a test match against JR West Japan Railers in Japan on the 25th.
This game was organized as a core program of the three-night, four-day local camp in Japan scheduled from July 23 to 26. The opponent for the test match, JR West Japan Railers, is a corporate rugby team based in Japan's Kansai region.
After arriving in Japan on the 23rd, the Outman rugby team will conduct local adaptation training while checking team cohesion and players' physical condition. On the 24th, they will finalize tactics and game management strategies through weight training and captain runs before taking the field against JR West Japan Railers in actual competition on the 25th.
This test match is part of efforts to create an environment for sustained competition locally in Japan. In April, the Outman rugby team requested cooperation from the Korea Rugby Union regarding participation in the Japanese rugby league. In May, the Korea Rugby Union officially recommended the Outman rugby team to the Japan Rugby Football Union. Following this, the Japan Rugby Football Union officially approved the test match, finalizing the schedule.
The Outman rugby team explained, "Through this test match, we aim to verify the competitiveness of our squad in Japan and specifically review future activity possibilities. Additionally, it signifies entering full-scale actual competition preparation ahead of the National Sports Festival scheduled for October."
They added, "This Japan camp is significant as players step out of their familiar domestic environment to directly experience new game styles and cultures. We expect to objectively confirm the squad's competitiveness through matches against Japanese corporate teams and enhance their practical sense in preparation for the National Sports Festival."
The Outman rugby team has maintained steady exchanges with the Japanese rugby community. In January this year, they held the '2nd OK Outman Rugby Academy' in Osaka, Japan, targeting domestic middle school rugby players, conducting joint training with local junior teams. They observed the national high school rugby tournament and professional team training sessions. This time, Outman rugby team players will directly face Japanese corporate teams, expanding the scope of exchange to the squad level. The club stated, "Through this test match, we plan to expand players' overseas practical experience, including exhibition matches against overseas teams such as those in Japan."
Choi Yun, Chairman of OK Financial Group and owner of the OK Outman rugby team, said, "For players to grow, they need experiences that go beyond staying in familiar environments—challenging themselves against new opponents to confirm their current standing. We hope this test match becomes an opportunity for players to raise their own standards and challenge larger stages."
He further added, "Rugby is a sport where players with different roles sacrifice and cooperate for a single goal. Regardless of victory or defeat, we expect them to rekindle the non-side spirit of respecting opponents and the value of 'true rugby' through the process of competing against Japanese players."
An official from the Outman rugby team also explained, "This test match serves as both a stage to check game performance ahead of the National Sports Festival and a process to further develop exchanges with the Japanese rugby community. The ultimate goal of the Outman rugby team is to officially participate in Japan's Top West League and compete continuously there. We will carefully prepare relevant procedures and operational conditions to create pathways for Korean rugby players to gain experience on broader stages."
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*This content was translated by AI.
