Japan to Host Fiji and Wales in Men’s and Women’s Centenary Double Header
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce that to mark the 100-year anniversary since the founding of the JRFU, Japan will host Fiji and Wales in a men’s and women’s test match double header in Tokyo on Saturday, October 24.
Taking place at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026, the fixtures will see the Brave Blossoms take on the Flying Fijians before the Sakura Fifteen face Wales as part of World Rugby’s WXV Global Series. To mark the occasion, both the Japan men’s and women’s teams will wear special commemorative jerseys celebrating the centenary of the JRFU.
The Brave Blossom’s fixture against Fiji will kick off at 14:50 JST, with the precise kick-off time for the Sakura Fifteen’s match against Wales yet to be determined. Full details around the kick-off time for the women’s fixture, match ticketing and broadcast information will be announced in due course.
For the Sakura Fifteen, the match will be their third against Wales since they first met in 2021 in Cardiff. While they fell that day 23-5, they put in a far stronger performance two years later in Cape Town as part of the WXV, going down 10-19.
The Brave Blossoms on the other hand face a very familiar foe in the Flying Fijians. When they meet it October it will mark the 22nd test match between the two sides. Fiji currently hold bragging rights with 17 wins against four losses. In their most recent encounter in the Final of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup in Salt Lake City, USA, a fast-finishing Japan pushed Fiji all the way, eventually falling short 27-33.
In what is an historic and special year for Japanese Rugby, this men’s and women’s test match double header, featuring three great rugby nations will be a fitting tribute to all the players, officials, staff, volunteers and fans, past and present, that make up the Japanese rugby family. To find out more about Japanese rugby, check out the official History of Japan Rugby Football Union on the JRFU website at https://en.rugby-japan.jp/jrfu-2/.
Historical Match Results
Brave Blossoms vs Fiji Past Results:
21 matches, 4 wins, 17 losses
20 September 2025: 27-33 (L) Salt Lake City, USA
21 September 2024: 17-41 (L) Osaka
5 August 2023: 12-35 (L) Tokyo
27 July 2019: 34-21 (W) Kamaishi
26 November 2016: 25-38 (L) Vannes, France
1 June 2013: 22-8 (L) Lautoka, Fiji
5 June 2012: 19-25 (L) Nagoya
13 July 2011: 13-24 (W) Lautoka, Fiji
12 June 2010: 22-8 (L) Lautoka, Fiji
3 July 2009: 40-39 (L) Suva, Fiji
22 June 2008: 12-24 (L) Tokyo
12 September 2007: 31-35 (L) Toulouse, France (RWC)
26 May 2007: 30-15 (L) Lautoka, Fiji
1 July 2006: 15-29 (L) Osaka
23 October 2003: 13-41 (L) Townsville, Australia (RWC)
20 May 2000: 22-47 (L) Tokyo
5 June 1999: 16-9 (L) Lautoka, Fiji
15 May 1994: 20-8 (W) Tokyo
8 May 1994: 24-18 (W) Ehime
4 March 1990: 6-32 (L) Tokyo
Sakura Fifteen vs Wales Past Results:
2 matches, 0 wins, 2 losses
11 October 2024: 10-19 (L) Cape Town, South Africa
7 November 2021: 23-5 (L) Cardiff, Wales