Rugby makes you do some weird things.

It makes you hang out with some odd people, and pack up and do some unexpected things; and there’s a series of films that spells all of that out in classic weird-rugby-guy detail.

It’s called Singapore to Tokyo Any Way We Can, and it’s a seven part series watchable on Red Earth Films documenting how Jason “The Braytrain” Bray and Gift “Gift-Time Rugby” Egbelu biked from Singapore to Tokyo to get to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Egbelu, who lives in Baton Rouge, La., and runs the popular Gift Time Rugby blog/podcast/video coverage outlet, is a hugely enthusiastic rugby fan, who has no compunction dropping everything to get on a bike to ride around Asia hanging out with rugby players.

Bray, who is no shrinking violet, mentions how when they met at the Bangkok 10s “you could not miss the guy.” He was in the middle of every social event.

The two struck up a friendship.

But this is more than a series about two rugby bros biking around Asian hotspots. It’s much more.

Somehow Bray, who runs The Rugby Lovers Guide to Asia, convinced Egbelu to join him on the bike ride to Tokyo. Asia was quaking at the prospect.

They had almost no money—$600—but somehow they muddled through, and time and again the kindness of strangers comes through.

From getting free food, advice, bike repair to being able to sell shirts swag to fund their trip. 

Once they get out of the cities, you start to see how daunting, beautiful, and welcoming Southeast Asia is. The rural areas are overwhelmed with green, and rain—rain in Asia is not messing around. 

As Bray puts it: “Good fellowship, a buckled wheel, and bad weather.”

Watching Egbelu throw himself on the ground after a day of biking is worth a watch, too. 

This series is a love letter to the Asian people and to the sport of rugby. 

It’s a love letter to how we can use this crazy sport, and taking a leap of faith with people, to make connections.

In a time when we see reality shows or other video content that is faked up and canned, that doesn’t show the grime on the side of the road or the normal people, this series if hugely refreshing.

Gift is a big ball of enthusiasm (which makes every moment that he’s down kind of funny), and Bray is a classic sardonic Australian (which makes those moments of true emotion that much more moving).

They pair don’t just go to ex-pat old boys rugby clubs. They visit a Cambodian girls team, they celebrate any club, any group, trying to play the sport. And by playing the sport, they are developing confidence in themselves, and furthering their self-determination.

This entire series, seven episodes, each just 20 minutes, is completely worth the cost to watch. You’ll get so much out of it, and if you watch with a non-rugby-fan, you’ll find there is plenty for them to love that has nothing to do with rugby.

After all, it’s all about the people, isn’t it.

To Watch From Singapore to Tokyo go here:

REDEARTHFILMS.VHX.TV

The cost is $17.00 to watch the entire series (and you can download it).