The New Zealand University (NZU) representative rugby side is touring Japan in May 2025 with a three-game tour planned in Oita, on the southern island of Kyushu.
Updated May 16 2025 – fixtures
The JRFU confirmed the tour in April and said that the three matches will be against Japan U20, Japan U23, and Japan XV. However, in mid-May, it looks like the U23 match has been rescheduled to a Japan XV fixture (so they will play each other twice).*
Japan Rugby Football Union confirmed that all three matches are free to attend, and the NZU side is expected to feature future Super Rugby Pacific stars and potential All Blacks.
The Japan High School representative team recently returned from an England tour where they faced Oxford Blues, a Saracens Academy side, and England U19.
The Japanese U23 were on tour in Australia, where they won their opening fixture over the Australian Barbarians, lost to the U20 Australians, and the final game against the Randwick club.
The Japanese U20 team had also announced preparation matches in Japan and will face JRLO sides Red Hurricanes Osaka on Wednesday 23 April, the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners on Friday, 25 April, and Kobelco Kobe Steelers on Sunday, 27th April.
New Zealand University Japan Tour 2025 Schedule
The venues and Japan Times are shown below:
- Friday 16 May – New Zealand University vs U20 Japan – Oita Sports Park Soccer Rugby Ground 16:00 KO
You can see more about the squad announcements here.
- Tuesday 20 May – New Zealand University vs Japan XV – Jissoji Sports Grounds, Beppu City 16:00 KO* updated
- Saturday 24 May – New Zealand University vs Japan XV – Jissoji Sports Grounds – Oita Sports Park Soccer Rugby Ground 14:00 KO
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- Eddie Jones Reacts to Japan U23 Opening Tour Win in Australia.
- Japan Sakura Fifteens and Brave Blossoms 2025 Domestic Fixtures Announced.
- Third Leg Of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger 2025 – Krakow.
