Gallant Sakura Fifteen Succumb to Black Ferns Juggernaut
The Sakura Fifteen put in a gutsy performance against the Black Ferns in their Pool C fixture on Sunday, August 31, proving to be worthy opponents for the current World Champions in the first World Cup meeting between the two sides. Despite their energy, spirit and never-say-die attitude, Japan struggled to contain the hard running, marauding New Zealand backs, eventually going down 62-19.
In what was a highly credible performance, Japan matched their more fancied rivals in many aspects of the game. The Sakura Fifteen forwards held their own at scrum time, caused numerous headaches to the Black Fern’s lineout and effectively contained a kiwi pack fielding a significant size advantage.
While entirely deserved, the New Zealander’s scoreboard ascendency came primarily off the back of their blistering backline play that seemed to pounce on any Japanese error. Too often, the Black Ferns would create moments when they would disrupt the Sakura Fifteen’s play and brutally exploit these opportunities with try scoring bursts.
Japan were placed under enormous pressure from the opening whistle when miscommunication in the back field between fullback Sora Nishimura and flyhalf Ayasa Otsuka saw both players attempt to field the kick-off. The corresponding collision saw Nishimura go down with a leg injury serious enough to see an end to her day in the opening minute.
While this early jolt may have thrown off a lesser team, the Sakura Fifteen stuck to their guns and attacked the Black Ferns with gusto. From despair to adulation in the blink of an eye, Japan scored the first try of the match when winger Sakurako Hatada busted through three defenders to crash over in the right corner with just four minutes on the clock.
Japan held their 0-5 lead until the 13th minute at which point New Zealand got the first of what was to be a 10 try haul for the World Champions. Having gone into the break with a 38-5 scoreline, it was Japan that scored first in the second half. Following a sustained raid on the Black Ferns line, halfback Moe Tsukui, the smallest player on the field, burrowed through the kiwi pack to score a try any forward would be proud of.
The try, and subsequent conversion saw the Japanese fans and Sandy Park neutrals cheer even louder for the Sakura Fifteen with cries of “Nippon, Nippon” heard throughout the match. With prop Sachiko Kato and replacement back Kanako Kobayashi both having played for local club side, the Exeter Chiefs, there was a strong sense of the Sandy Park locals being well and truly behind the team in red and white.
Japan got their third and final score 27 minutes into the second half after being awarded a penalty try. Black Ferns lock Laura Bayfield was adjudged to have illegally and cynically collapsed a Sakura Fifteen rolling maul surging towards the tryline. Bringing the score to 43-19, the penalty try seemed to spur the Black Ferns up a gear, with the kiwis going on to score an additional three tries in a dominant five-minute burst.
When the final whistle blew, there was a sense that although Japan had been soundly beaten, they had acquitted themselves extremely well in bringing the fight right to the World Champions with their courage, tenacity and positivity. This feeling was summed up perfectly during the post-match interview with Japan Head Coach Lesley McKenzie.
Speaking on the television broadcast she said:
“I’m so pleased for them. This was a great challenge for us. We spoke about it during the week and during the summer, prepping for this. To play the World Champions in your pool is a really good test and we talked about being worthy of that test. There were a few chunks of chaos where we probably let them get some points that we will regret a little bit. But overall, there were some massively positive passages of play, smart use of territory and at the back end of it, great character, intent and aggression when we brought our shoulders to the collision. That was what we were really targeting today. Yeah, I’m stoked for them.
When asked about their upcoming match against Spain she commented:
“Next week we want to show the best of Japan. We’ve had two teams in this draw that were determined to play the game that they wanted to impose. I think Spain will be quite similar to us in terms of what they want to play and showcase. We have to make sure we come out on top and really show the best of Japan. That’s what we’ve talked about and what we will be prepping this week.”
Japan’s third and final pool match will be against Spain at York Community Stadium in the historic northern city of York on Sunday, 7 September.
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
62-19 (L)
Sandy Park, Exeter
Sunday 7 September
Japan v Spain
York Community Stadium, York