Japan take on Kazakhstan in the second match of the ARWC 2024 on Monday 27 May in Hong Kong, and having won the opening match against HKCR 29-12, they know a win against Kazakhstan will secure another ARWC, a place in RWC 2025 and WXV 2.
The last time these two teams met in Almaty in the final of the 2023 ARWC it was a very one-sided affair with Japan claiming the championship with a 72–0 victory over Kazakhstan at the Almaty Sports Training Complex, but the Kazakhs will hope that the experience gained in playing the WXV 3 last year will have prepared them for the Sakura XVs this time around.
The previous head-to-head shows just how far Japan have come, as they are losing the matchups against Kazakhstan 2-7 with the Japanese only winning the last two encounters and aiming for three in a row in the ARWC.
The Kazakhs are in a rebuilding phase, and although they reached the WXV 3 in 2023, they suffered two of their heaviest defeats in their history against Ireland and Fiji last October but the proud nation is determined to try and reach a 7th Rugby World Cup in 2025.
Kazakhstan’s last win over Japan was in Hong Kong at Aberdeen Sports Ground in the Women’s Asian 4 Nations in May 2014 but in 2024 have a new head coach according to World Rugby – former South African Sevens player Fabian Juries.
Natalya Kamendrovskaya leads the Kazakhs as captain, and the prop will rely on her pack to gain an advantage in the setpiece to put pressure on Sakura XV.
The Japanese had the advantage in the first half against HKCR in the scrum but they didn’t have it all go their way as the match went on. Their lineout tough was excellent and they had some trick moves that led to at least one try in the opening match of the championship including a try for captain Iroha Nagata.
Photo Credit: Hong Kong China Rugby – Japan’s Head Coach Lesley Mckenzie ARWC 2024
Japan’s Head Coach Lesley Mckenzie will want a better 80-minute performance from her side to wrap up the ARWC and achieve their aims, but they can not be complacent and ignore the threat the physical Kazkhs will pose on Monday night – especially if there are wet conditions which will slow the game down and minimise the threat of the outside backs which did well in the opening game.
Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China) will make her XV test debut as a referee for this match after having refereed in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 rounds in Montevideo and Krakow, taking charge of the women’s final in the latter event on 19 May. 2024.
Aggie Poon will make her first test match appearance as Assistant Referee.
- Venue: Kings Park Sports Ground
- Referee: Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China Rugby)
- Assistant Referee 1: Morgan White (Hong Kong China Rugby)
- Assistant Referee 2: Aggie Poon (Hong Kong China Rugby)
- Television Match Official: Stephen Copeman (Hong Kong China Rugby)
Kazakhstan will play hosts Hong Kong China at Hong Kong Football Club on 1 June with a place at WXV 3 2024 in Dubai awaiting the winner if Japan win the ARWC 2024.
Photo Credit: Hong Kong China Rugby – Japan Sakura XV ARWC 2024
How To Watch ARWC 2024
Fans can tune in online and watch the match on YouTube Livestream Link and RugbyPassTV.
Fans In Hong Kong can attend the match at King’s Park Sports Ground between Japan and Kazakhstan on 27 May without charge (no ticket is required) and the game starts at 7PM local time.
Japan Sakura Squad vs Kazkahstan – ARWC 2024
Kazakhstan Squad vs Japan – ARWC 2024
- NATALYA KAMENDROVSKAYA (C)
- XENIYA KIM
- TATYANA DADAJANOVA
- SYMBAT ZHAMANKULOVA
- DAIANA KAZIBEKOVA
- MARIYA GRISHINA
- VERONIKA STEPANYUGA
- ANZHELIKA PICHUGINA
- YEKATERINA SAVINA
- DIANA ABISHEVA
- ALYONA MELNIKOVA
- ANNA MELNIKOVA
- YEVA BEKKER
- AMINA TULEGENOVA
- GALINA KRASSAVINA
- SVETLANA MALEZHINA
- DARYA TKACHYOVA
- DARYA SIMAKOVA
- BALZHAN AKHBAYEVA
- ALYONA DROBOVSKAYA
- LYUDMILA IVANOVA
- KUNDYZAY BAKTYBAYEVA
- YULIYA OLEINIKOVA
Photo Ctredit: Asia Rugby – Kazakhstan beat Hong Kong China in the opening match of ARWC 2023
What Is At Stake – ARWC 2024
The 13th edition of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024 will see the same teams as recent years compete – with Japan, Hong Kong China, and Kazakhstan looking to be crowned Asian champions in 2024.
The ARWC is a direct qualifier for the Rugby World Cup 2025 for the winner, who will also earn the right to play in WXV2, while the runner-up will play in WXV3.
Asian Women’s Rugby News 2024
- Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024 – What To Know.
- Guide To The Asia Rugby 2024 International Tournaments.
- WXV 2024 Details Confirmed.
- Japanese Sakura XV Players Playing Overseas In 2024.
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