Rugby: Whistle for World Cup opener arrives in Japan

Rugby: Whistle for World Cup opener arrives in Japan

OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 12 Kyodo - Photo taken in Osaka on Sept. 12, 2019, shows Ron Rutland (L) of South Africa holding the whistle to be used by referee Nigel Owens when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Tokyo on Sept. 20. The whistle arrived in Osaka earlier in the day following a 27,000-kilometer journey that Rutland and James Owens (R) of Hong Kong made by bicycle and ferry from London.

CORRECTED: Rugby: Whistle for World Cup opener arrives in Japan

CORRECTED: Rugby: Whistle for World Cup opener arrives in Japan

Photo taken in Osaka on Sept. 12, 2019, shows Ron Rutland (L) of South Africa holding the whistle to be used by referee Nigel Owens when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Tokyo on Sept. 20. The whistle arrived in Osaka earlier in the day following a 27,000-kilometer journey that Rutland and James Owens (R) of Hong Kong made by bicycle and ferry from London. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Referee Nigel Owens blows the whistle to be used for the Rugby World Cup opener between Japan and Russia at its venue Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium) on Sept. 19, 2019, a day before the match. Ron Rutland of South Africa and James Owens of Hong Kong made an over 20,000-kilometer journey via bicycle across the Eurasian continent from London to deliver the whistle to Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Referee Nigel Owens (C) holds the whistle to be used for the Rugby World Cup opener between Japan and Russia at its venue Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium) on Sept. 19, 2019, a day before the match. Ron Rutland (R) of South Africa and James Owens (L) of Hong Kong made an over 20,000-kilometer journey via bicycle across the Eurasian continent from London to deliver the whistle to Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Referee Nigel Owens (C) holds the whistle to be used for the Rugby World Cup opener between Japan and Russia at its venue Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium) on Sept. 19, 2019, a day before the match. Ron Rutland (R) of South Africa and James Owens (L) of Hong Kong made an over 20,000-kilometer journey via bicycle across the Eurasian continent from London to deliver the whistle to Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

Whistle for Rugby World Cup opener

James Owens (L) of Hong Kong hands the whistle to be used for the Rugby World Cup opener between Japan and Russia to referee Nigel Owens at its venue Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium) in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Sept. 19, 2019, a day before the match. James Owens and Ron Rutland of South Africa made an over 20,000-kilometer journey via bicycle across the Eurasian continent from London to deliver the whistle to Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo