- Isuzu named official automotive partner of World Rugby.
- Covers Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
- Also covers Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.
- Both tournaments to be held in Australia.
- 2027 marks Isuzu’s 90th anniversary.
Australia will host both tournaments in the deal, the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the women’s edition in 2029, and Isuzu Motors Limited will serve as official automotive partner at each under an agreement with World Rugby, the global governing body for the sport.
Headquartered in Yokohama and led by President and CEO Naohiro Yamaguchi, the company signed the deal with the Dublin-based organisation headed by CEO Alan Gilpin. The timing matters to the manufacturer, as 2027 also marks 90 years since its establishment.
Why Isuzu is backing the Rugby World Cup
The partnership sits within the mid-term business plan, ISUZU Transformation, Growth to 2030 (IX). Under that plan, the firm is widening its focus from products to solutions as it works to become a “commercial mobility solutions company” supporting the movement of goods and people around the world.
According to the company, rugby’s core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect, as set out in the World Rugby Playing Charter, align with its purpose of “Moving the World, for You”. It plans to use both events to strengthen its brand communications across global markets, pointing to the following the men’s competition draws and the growth and attention the women’s competition has gained in recent years.
Isuzu vehicles for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029
For the 2029 women’s event, Isuzu and World Rugby will explore how the carmaker can support tournament operations with mobility solutions using its commercial trucks, pickup trucks and other vehicles. The aim is safe and smooth transport for participating teams and the tournament workforce. Alongside this, the brand intends to use engagement opportunities throughout the tournaments to reach rugby fans and a wider audience worldwide.
What Isuzu and World Rugby said
Yamaguchi said the company was “deeply honored to become a partner of Rugby World Cup” and would use the platform to showcase its “journey toward becoming a commercial mobility solutions company on the global stage.”
Michel Poussau, Chief Revenue Officer at World Rugby, said the governing body looked forward “to working closely with Isuzu to support tournament operations.” With less than a year to go until kick-off in Australia, the men’s tournament in 2027 is the first of the two events the partnership will cover.
Supplied by MotorPress (Iviwe Poti, Senior Manager: Strategic Communications, Isuzu Motors South Africa)
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