The Rugby Star (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 10
Released in 1976, The Rugby Star is an action and comedy film directed by Akira Shimizu, running about 88 minutes.
What it’s about. The success of Truck Yaro (1975-1979) initiated a whole load of movies that put "Yaro" in their title, including this semi-bonkers sports comedy/drama. Sonny Chiba's brother Jiro Chiba stars as a Rugby player whose team must find a way to beat the opponent. It's a standard storyline without any major surprises, but works surprisingly well. Training scenes are relatively nuts; much better than the actual matches actually, which tend to go on forever. There is no sex, nudity or graphic violence, making this a family friendly affair. Sonny Chiba appears for about 7 minutes during the last third as a truck driver who comes to Jiro's rescue.
Who’s in it. The Rugby Star stars Jirô Chiba, Koji Nanjo, Kentaro Maki and Gô Ibuki, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, The Rugby Star sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Rugby Star page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Rugby Star tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Rugby Star (1976)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Rugby Star change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Rugby Star worth watching?
- The Rugby Star holds an audience score of 10.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and comedy. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Rugby Star?
- The Rugby Star stars Jirô Chiba, Koji Nanjo, Kentaro Maki, Gô Ibuki and Shiro Kishibe.