Japan Sakura Fifteen End Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 On a High With Rare But Deserved Win

The Japan Sakura Fifteen ended their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 with only their second-ever pool win at the tournament, and came from behind at halftime to defeat the Spanish 29-21 after trailing at halftime, even though they were dominant in possession and territory.

Photo Credit – JRFU – Team and Management post Spain win at RWC 2025

Japan’s win should not be understated. They have won only one previous pool game, which was in 1994, and this is their first win at a RWC since beating Hong Kong at the RWC 2017. The match might also well be the last time with the current management group as Head Coach Lesley McKenzie indicated it could be her last, while the team’s most capped player, Seina Saito hinted she might be hanging up her boots.

The 3,779 created a great atmosphere at York Community Stadium as the Japanese made it three straight wins over Las Leonas in 2025 after beating them twice in Japan in July.

Photo Credit – JRFU

It was an incredibly frustrating opening half for Japan, who again could rarely convert their attacking chances in Spain’s 22m area, scoring only one unconverted try by Sora Nishimura, while Spain, with their solitary two attacks in Japan’s 22m scored twice. While Sarah Cox may have been celebrating her 50th test milestone, there was much for the Japanese to feel aggrieved at with the decisions in the first half.

But ultimately, the slow ball from starting scrumhalf Abe, and some poor decision-making and execution that cost them.

When Head Coach Lesley McKenzie was asked after the game what was said at halftime, she also laughed and told us things were definitely said at the break after a frustrating opening period.

“I definitely said something. So many things were going wrong for us, and we needed to stick to the process, and it worked out.

It was such a learning curve we had. Of the win, we have spoken about this during the week. The girls have really spoken about what it means for the young girls in Japan and for the young girls in the stands, especially if you look at a team like ours, and we are so much smaller than everyone else. So to show what we can do collectively and at a high skill level and standard is the real thrill for me.”

Japan came out in the second period and played much quicker and more accurately. They ran in four tries thanks to Iroha Nagata, Wako Kitano, Komachi Imakugi, and Jennifer Nduka. Spain scored a late consolation try.

Spain head coach Juan González said of Japan, “Japan is a great team, they’re very solid in many areas of the game, especially with their feet and in the maul. They showed that today. They’re also very good at attacking, we were able to stop them today, but they ultimately won.”

Photo Credit – JRFU

By the final whistle, Japan ended with 62% possession and 66% territory and made 150m more than Spain. Les Leonas were also forced to make 80 more defensive tackles and conceded nearly twice as many penalties.

You only need to watch a game to see why Captain Nagata is so highly rated, and the stats back up her performances week in and week out. She had a number of PWR teams wanting to sign her, we are told, but she has yet to commit.

Japan fullback Sora Nishimura was the player of the match and carried for 155 meters, nearly twice more as her next teammate (and the joint-second number of carries).

What the Japan Sakura Fifteen Players Said

Photo Credit – JRFU

Scrumhalf Moe Tsukui, who is playing her third RWC and made a big impact when she came on at halftime to help change the game, said: “This campaign we had a lot of time to prepare compared to previous Rugby World Cups, and we have been building towards this for the past three years. I think we have been able to showcase Japanese rugby and the next generation of girls who are hoping to play in the future, what we are capable of.”

Seina Saito, the most experienced Sakura 15 player ever and who may have played her last game for the team after featuring in three consecutive Rugby World Cups, said: “I am very happy with the win as it’s our first in 8 years, and I think we were able to develop and grow our game as a team.

When asked what is next for her, she laughed. “That’s a tough question to answer now. I am 32, and I am thinking about the next steps and what legacy I have left for the Sakura 15.”

Photo Credit – JRFU – Sakura 15 – RWC 2025 staff and management

McKenzie indicated that she is at the end of her second cycle and, without saying for certain, seemed to indicate it would be the end of her tenure as the Sakura 15 Head Coach.

She said of today, “It was beautiful. I love watching our girls on the front foot, making good decisions and having fun. We scored some great tries, controlled the territory and possession.

When we were off, I think it was due to the anxiety building up in them, and they were in a rush to take advantage of the opportunities. We couldn’t quite click in the first half, so we said in the locker room that we had to do the things that make us us, smooth our gameplay, sharpen our attack. I was proud that we got there.”

Try Scorers:
Spain (3): Monica Castelo, Cristina Blanco Herrera, Victoria Rosell Martinez
Japan (5): Sora Nishimura, Iroha Nagata, Wako Kitano, Komachi Imakugi, Jennifer Nduka

Japan Sakura 15 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 News

• Japan Sakura Fifteen vs Spain RWC 2025 – What They Have Been Saying Before The Game.
• Japan Sakura Fifteen vs Spain Preview – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
• Sakura Fifteen Fail to Reach RWC 2025 Quarterfinals But Put Up a Valiant Effort Against the Black Ferns.
• Japan Sakura 15 Put Up a Brave Fight But Lost to Ireland in RWC 2025 Opener.