Sakura Fifteen Complete RWC2025 With Victory Over Spain
The Sakura Fifteen have defeated Spain’s Las Leonas 29-21 in their final Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match at York Community Stadium. With both sides coming into the match looking for their first win of the tournament, having lost to Ireland and New Zealand, the motivation to get the win was abundantly evident from both teams.
Japan started strongly through a stunning try out wide to fullback Sora Nishimura at the six-minute mark. The Japanese number 15 went on to have a tremendous game in both attack and defence, a performance that eventually saw her awarded Player of The Match. However, while the Sakura Fifteen dominated first half territory and possession, they struggled to break the Spanish line.
Las Leonas put their size advantage to good use, consistently landing heavy shots in defence which helped to stifle the Japanese attack. Having scored two first half tries of their own, Spain would have been happy to enter the sheds at half time with a 5-14 lead despite Japan’s territorial and possession advantage.
The second half once again saw a strong start for the Sakura Fifteen. Taking the bull by the horns, Captain Iroha Nagata set off for the tryline from behind the 22, busted through four defenders to dot down just to the left of the posts. When grounding the ball, she was hit heavily by a Spanish defender and was left clutching her shoulder and looking in quite some discomfort. Eventually getting back to her feet, she shook off any sign of serious damage to get back into the match.
While being unable to convert their pressure in the first half, the second half proved a different story. Following Nagata’s try, Japan went on to score another three tries to bring their lead out to 29-14 with 10 minutes left on the clock. Spain managed a consolation try in the 78th minute, but it was too little, too late. The Sakura Fifteen closed out the match to score their first Rugby World Cup win since 2017 when they defeated Hong Kong 44-5 in Belfast.
Speaking after the match, Sakura Fifteen Head Coach Lesley McKenzie said:
“At half time my message to the girls was to collect all the first half positives, which were numerous, and just keep some patience and we will get the rewards in the second half. We were in control in terms of territory and possession but a little bit impatient, which is one of our vices. So just to have patience and have faith in the process and we got there.
“I’m really proud what the team has shown. Today was probably not what we would have wanted or shaped as a success, but we’ve built our rugby, taken some good education out of today and we had a chance to show what we could do.”
Sakura Fifteen Captain Iroha Nagata added:
“Firstly, I want to thank the fans here today and those watching at home on TV for cheering us on. This performance is the one we played for the next generation of girls who will be the future of rugby in Japan. I’m really happy to get this result today for what it means for the future and the next generation. I’m so proud of how the girls played today. Spain put tremendous pressure on us throughout the game, but we were able to leave everything out there on the field and we performed everything that we had prepared for the match”
While the match against Spain drew the curtain on Japan’s Rugby World Cup, it was also the team’s final match for the year. The Sakura Fifteen players and staff will now enjoy a much-deserved break ahead of what will no doubt be another huge year for Japanese women’s rugby in 2026.
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
29-21 (W)
York Community Stadium, York