Tough Weekend in Singapore for Sakura Sevens as Attention Shifts to Perth

Having finished third in Dubai and fifth in Cape Town, the Sakura Sevens found the going tough in Singapore in the HSBC SVNS Series third leg, coming in seventh overall. The disappointing result sees them drop from third to equal fourth place, alongside Canada and France in the overall series standings.  However, after having run both the USA and Australia close in the pool stages, there is still a lot to be positive about.

In their first match, they came out of the blocks strongly against the USA, putting in a 19-0 first half performance. The second half saw the USA post a stunning 22-point fightback to take the match by just three points for a final score of 19-22. Japan would have been left deeply disappointed for allowing the match to slip from their grasp.

Coming up against Australia in their second match, it was almost a mirror image of their earlier fixture against the USA. Australia ran out to 0-19 first half lead, with the Sakura Fifteen fighting hard but failing to get any pay on the scoreboard. Things took a turn in the second half with Japan staging a 19-point turnaround of their own. However, after having let Australia score a converted second half try, they fell short 19-26.

Following the heartbreak of their two opening matches, an uncharacteristically lethargic Japan succumbed to a fired-up Fiji 12-34 in their final pool match. They then followed this up by going scoreless in their 0-32 loss to France in the Fifth Place Semi-Final. The Sakura Sevens were able to restore some pride and leave Singapore with a win following their powerful 41-5 result over Great Britain.

Commenting after the tournament, Captain Hanako Utsumi said:

“Thank you to our fans for their continued support of the Sakura Sevens. Our results were not what we wanted, and we leave the tournament feeling frustrated. We faced many challenges, but we also have taken a lot of learnings. We will work hard to move on and take action to improve for the next tournament by challenging ourselves to get the right results. We count on your continued support.”

Putting the disappointment of Singapore behind them, the Sakura Sevens now have their sights set firmly on Perth this coming weekend of February 7-8. Japan have named a 13-member squad who will fly directly from Singapore to Australia to begin their preparations in the famously dry heat of the West Australian summer.

Sakura Sevens Squad – HSBC SVNS Perth 2026

Following Perth, the SVNS series will take a month-long break before the action resumes in early March in Vancouver, 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.