Sakura Fifteens Set for Black Ferns Clash

Japan Head Coach Lesley McKenzie has named her Sakura Fifteen side to face New Zealand in their second Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match on Sunday, August 31. Kicking off at 14:00 local UK time, 22:00 Japan time, the match will take place at Exeter’s Sandy Park, in the beautiful Devonshire countryside of Southwest England.

Having fallen to Ireland 42-14 in their opening Pool C match, the Sakura Fifteen will be looking to get their World Cup campaign back on track when they line up against the Black Ferns. It will be no easy task against the current back-to-back and six-time World Champions who come into Rugby World Cup 2025 as one of the strong tournament favourites.

2025 Women’s World Cup Pool C Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, England Ireland vs Japan JRFU / Ashley Western

McKenzie has picked a near identical side to the team that faced Ireland with only three changes across the matchday 23. The starting fifteen sees just the one change with Sakurako Hatada, who started last week on the reserves bench, coming onto the right wing. Meanwhile Jennifer Nduka comes onto the bench as the reserve lock. She is joined by Kanako Kobayashi who comes into the side as a reserve back.

Commenting on the team selection, Sakura Fifteen Head Coach Lesley McKenzie said:

“I was really pleased to see the New Zealand team list when it came out. They’re obviously taking this game with a measure of respect by naming a really strong team. We’ve named a team we think is going to bring the attitude and energy to make a statement as to who we are and how we play. As a head coach, the opportunity to play the World Champions in the pool stage is really exciting. The girls have trained really well this week, challenging each other and have been positively energetic. We’re really looking forward to the game at Sandy Park.

2025 Women’s World Cup Pool C Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, England Ireland vs Japan JRFU / Ashley Western

Sakura Fifteen Captain Iroha Nagata added:

“Our preparations this week have been great. We’ve taken away some things from the Ireland match to take forward with our game. The match this week is a great opportunity to play the current World Champions in the pool phase. The team is really excited to be able to showcase Sakura Fifteen rugby.”

2025 Women’s World Cup Pool C Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, England Ireland vs Japan JRFU / Ashley Western

The match at Sandy Park will be a homecoming of sorts for Sakura Fifteen’s prop Sachiko Kato and centre Kanako Kobayashi. Both players spent seasons playing with the local Premiership Women’s Rugby side, the Exter Chiefs.

The Japan v New Zealand match will be broadcast live in Japan on J Sports 1 from 21:45 on Sunday, August 31. It will also be streamed live and available for catch-up on J Sports On Demand.

Sakura Fifteen Team List:

 NameTeamCompanyHeight(cm)Weight(kg)DOBCap
1Sachiko KATOYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsSECOM CO., LTD.164902000/2/1931
2Asuka KUGEARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYAGoto Hygiene Consultant164781994/9/2223
3Wako KITANOMIE PEARLSSumitomo Wiring Systems167921999/9/823
4Yuna SATOTokyo Sankyu PhoenixSankyu Inc.170761998/9/1125
5Otoka YOSHIMURAARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYASaitamaken Shinkin Bank.174832001/5/1530
6Masami KAWAMURAYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsSamko Gakuen Tokyo Resort & Sports vocational school173751999/7/1323
7Iroha NAGATA (C)ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYAKanto Foods Co.,Ltd.168701998/12/2141
8Seina SAITOMIE PEARLSEiwatech Co.,Ltd.164721992/5/3051
9Moe TSUKUIYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsLIBEST Corp.153532000/3/2843
10Ayasa OTSUKAARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYAOne Logistics Co., Ltd.163651999/5/537
11Komachi IMAKUGIARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYAOKINAYA Co.,Ltd.158602002/1/631
12Haruka HIROTSUNanairo PRISM FUKUOKAKyushu Fuundou Sales Co., Ltd.169712000/10/2918
13Mana FURUTATokyo Sankyu PhoenixNTT Facilities Inc.167701997/11/1637
14Sakurako HATADANippon Sport Science Univ.Nippon Sport Science Univ.161652003/5/810
15Sora NISHIMURAMIE PEARLSChoko Co.,Ltd.167682000/9/2922
16Kotomi TANIGUCHIYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsNKS Corp163751995/4/1027
17Manami MINENippon Sport Science Univ.Nippon Sport Science Univ.163772003/9/1113
18Nijiho NAGATAMIE PEARLSSEIBUNSHA Co., Ltd.162802000/12/630
19Ayano SAKURAIYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsNTT Facilities Inc.167731996/4/1524
20Jennifer NDUKAHokkaido Barbarians DianaMedical System Network168802000/10/1815
21Megumi ABEARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYARDC Co.,Ltd.147551998/4/2833
22Minori YAMAMOTOYOKOHAMA TKM169701996/12/939
23Kanako KOBAYASHIYOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-StarsShonan Kamakura General Hospital164681998/11/1320

(c) Captain

Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C

Sunday 24 August
Ireland v Japan
42-14 (L)
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Sunday 31 August
New Zealand v Japan
Sandy Park, Exeter

Sunday 7 September
Japan v Spain
York Community Stadium, York

RELATED NEWS