Japan Sakura XV vs USA 1st Test Preview – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024

The Sakura XV look to continue the good form they have shown in 2024 in the Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 in their first home test of the year which sees them take on the higher-ranked USA on Sunday 11 August. So far the Japanese beated Kazakhstan and HKCR in the ARWC, and drawn a series with Fiji away from home. 

Feature Photo Credit: JRFU

This is the only international women’s XV test match this weekend and the Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu (Fukuoka) will be host to the fixture which sees the USA come into the tour ranked 7th and the hosts 11th on the World Rugby rankings. Both sides are using the tour as crucial preparation for the WXV which gets underway in September 2024 – with the USA competing in WXV1 and Japan in WXV2.

The sides have played each other twice previously both at Rugby World Cups with the USA winning both. The USA enjoyed a large win in the first test in 1994 but the most recent game was a more tightly contested 30-17 at the Rugby World Cup in NZ played in 2022.

The historic test on Sunday will be the first time they have played in Japan and the USA last played in the Pacific Four Series in May 2024 where they finished 3rd, while Japan played a two-match tour in Fji in June where they drew the series but also suffered their first ever loss to Fiji.

Nagata Iroha once again captains the Sakura XV in what will be her 32nd cap with the squad consistent of those picked for the ARWC and Fiji tour and no new caps selected.

USA Women’s Eagles Head Coach Sione Fukofuka has selected Kathryn Treder (prop) and McKenzie Hawkins (flyhalf) as vice-captains. Emerson Allen, Sophie Pyrz, and Sariah Ibarra could earn their first Eagles cap coming off the bench.

Head Coach Fukofuka said, “The team has settled in well and has adjusted well to the short prep and heat here in Fukuoka. We have had two on-field sessions where we have worked hard at connecting after being apart since PAC4, and aligning our standards across the squad with a number of new faces coming in.

The roster for Japan was based on combinations in key positions as well as selecting players that put in the work across the remote program and we feel will allow us to play to our strengths and pressure Japan.”

Ella Goldsmith (Australia) is the match referee.

Match Permutations –  Japan vs USA (August 2024)

• If the USA draw with Japan, they will drop to 9th in the World Rugby rankings, if they lose they will drop to 10th.
• Japan can not change their position regardless of the result, and the USA can not climb in the rankings if they win.

Result: Japan 17-17 USA

Japan Sakura XV Squad vs USA – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 1st leg

You can read more on the squad announcement from the JRFU here.

USA Squad vs Japan – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 1st leg

How To Watch Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024

USA Rugby confirmed in the week leading up to the first test that the series will be available on RugbyPassTV.

Japanese International Rugby 2024

• Match Officials & Squads For Japan Sakura XV Tour To Fiji In June 2024.
• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.
• Japanese Sakura XV Players Playing Overseas In 2024.
• Brave Blossoms Squad Selected For 2024 Pacific Nations Cup Training Camp.