Mixed Results in Perth for Sakura Sevens
After having started the HSBC SVNS Series strongly, with a Bronze in Dubai followed by a fifth-place finish in Cape Town, the Sakura Sevens found the going tough in Pool A during the fourth leg of the competition in hot and dry conditions in Perth, Western Australia.
Drawn against series-leaders New Zealand in their first match, the Sakura Sevens fought hard in the first half, conceding two tries while scoring one of their own to go into the break trailing 5-10. The second half proved much more challenging with the Kiwis finding their attacking rhythm to run in four additional tries against just a single touchdown for Japan. New Zealand eventually ran out comfortable 12-34 winners in their first match before going on to win the Final.
Next up Japan faced a USA team whose mid-table consistency across the four legs of series so far sees them sitting in 3rd placed on the overall series standings. Still smarting from their first-round loss, Japan once again struggled to contain a physically imposing USA side who, like New Zealand, put in a commanding four-try second half performance to post a 14-38 win.
Desperate for a win in their final pool match, Japan came out strongly against Fiji, scoring three first-half tries to two. With a halftime score of 19-14 in Japan’s favour, the stage was set for a make or break second half for the Sakuras. After scoring their third try of the match, Japan’s growing dominance began to frustrate the Fijians who had two players sent to the bin late in the second half. Facing an undermanned opponent, Japan scored their fifth try of the match on the buzzer to record 31-14 victory and advance to the Fifth Place Semi Final.
Day Two in the West Australian Capital brought another hot and dry day as Japan lined up against Great Britain in their semi. In what was mostly one-way traffic, Japan put in a solid, five-try to one performance to win 29-7 and progress to the Fifth Place Playoff against Canada.
Having won their last two matches, the Sakura Sevens came into their final match quietly confident after defeating Canada in both of their previous matches in Dubai and Cape Town. However, in a big turnaround for the North Americans, they dominated Japan from the opening minute, running in six tries to Japan’s one, to take the match 5-36.
Commenting after the tournament, Captain Ria Anoku said:
“Firstly, thank you for everyone’s support of the team. In both Singapore and Perth, we didn’t achieve the results we were aiming for. Having served as Captain here in Perth, I am personally frustrated that I couldn’t lead the team to better results. For us to rise again in the standings we will need to play rugby where all seven players on the field continue to connect as one and not individually. We will now return home and head back into camp where the whole team will continue to work hard to grow and improve our strength and competitiveness. We count on your ongoing support.”
The HSBC SVNS Series will now take a month break before returning to Vancouver for the weekend of March 7-8. The Sakura Sevens will use the time to rest and reflect before heading back into camp ahead of their trip to Canada. Fan’s looking to catch all the HSBC SVNS Series action from within Japan can tune in online to RugbyPass TV where all matches will be broadcast.