Sakura Fifteen Set for Three Match Tour to Australia

The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce that the Japan Women’s National Team, the Sakura Fifteen will tour Australia in May to play test matches against both Fiji and Australia. The tour will also see the team line up against an Australian Barbarians side in a non-test match fixture. With Rugby World Cup kicking off in October, these three matches will form a vital part of the team’s preparation as they get set to face the world’s best teams in New Zealand at the end of the year.

The Sakura Fifteen will play their test matches against Fiji on Sunday, May 1, and Australia on Tuesday, May 10, with both fixtures taking place at Bond University on the Gold Coast. The team will play their non-test match fixture against the Australian Barbarians on Friday, May 6 at Wests Bulldogs Rugby Memorial Park in Brisbane. Kick-off times for all three matches will be announced in due course.

Japan have played Fiji on one prior occasion, winning 55-0 in 2016. They have played Australia three times, including their Pool C match at Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland and twice during Japan’s tour to Australia in 2019. To date, Japan have yet to taste victory over Australia.

Commenting on the tour announcement, National Team Director, Keiko Asami said:

“Thanks to the effort and support of so many people, we are able to tour Australia and play these two massive test matches and the match against the Barbarians. While the pandemic is still causing significant disruption, the Sakura Fifteen program has been able to successfully operate thanks to the understanding and cooperation of the companies, universities, and teams to which our players and staff belong.

“These three matches will be of vital importance as we prepare for this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and our goal of reaching the final eight in the tournament. On behalf of the entire Japanese rugby family, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Rugby Australia for hosting us on this tour. We will do our very best to show the power of the Sakura Fifteen, to energize and encourage women rugby players and our fans both in Japan, and around the world.”

Further information around the Sakura Fifteen training camp, touring squad, and additional match details will be announced at a later date.