Japan Sakura XV vs USA 2nd Test Preview – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024

Following the tightly contested opening round match of the Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 in which the USA snatched a late equalising penalty to earn a 17-all draw, both sides will take lessons into the second and final match on Saturday 17th August at Ogasayama Sports Park ECOPA Stadium (Shizuoka).

Feature Photo Credit: JRFU

Lesley Mckenzie, the Sakura XV Head Coach will probably have viewed the first leg as a match they should have won but a draw is also the best result the team have every secured against the higher-ranked USA team. Both she and former England coach Simon Middleton (who previously was announced to be a short-term consultant with te JRFU but looks to be a permanent member of staff now) gave away nothing in their poker faces during the match at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu.

The speed of the ball, the terrific defensive work, and the energy levels of te Sakura which ensures they won many a ball at the breakdown were key in nearly pulling off the win. They will want to look at their own game management as the last 15 minutes saw them concede three charge-down clearance kicks in theor own 22m – all of which nearly led to tries and certainly piled on the pressure.

The Japanese were good in attack and counter-attacked really well benefiting from winning the breakdowns, they managed to score three tries (W. Kitano, K. Kobayashi & M. Kawamura) to the USA’s two (O. Ortiz & S. Harris-Jones).

The USA were physical as they were expected to be but they also struggled with the wet ball in very humid conditions and didn’t quite cope with the Japanese line speed.

Captain Iroha Nagata leads an experienced Sakura Fifteens side, with seasoned campaigners across the matchday 23. squad. Japan have made three personnel and one positional change to their starting line-up from last weekend’s draw. Hooker Asuka Kuge starts this week, while at number eight, Japan’s most-capped women’s player Seina Saito is selected to start for her 44th test, while Haruka Hirotsu is selected to start at inside centre. Flanker Kyoto Hosokawa is the only new face in the matchday squad and is selected in the reserves.

USA Head Coach Sione Fukofuka said after the draw, “Japan are a very physical side in terms of speed to ball, very good at the breakdown, and great work rate so it makes it really challenging to keep the ball in play and to find space. That’s how it turned out today, they put pressure at breakdown.

Next week we’re going to work on our attacking breakdown, attacking quicker, using the ball more, finding edges in space and taking more advantage of our line out and maul.”

On the changes to the team for the second match, he added, “We have made some changes to the front row based on rewarding players that have worked hard to get their physical metrics up and performed during our preparation. Keia Mae Sagapolu and Catie Benson have both taken their feedback well and have pushed hard to earn selection. We are pleased in the depth of our front row that we are able to give opportunities across the two tests and be confident in our set piece platform…..

We are fortunate to have the same opposition for two weeks in a row, which allows us to adapt some or our tactics to match the opportunities Japan presents.”

The USA matchday squad includes 11 players who play in the English Premiership as well as two Sevens contracted players.

Jess Ling (Australia) is the match referee.

Photo Credit: JRFU

Match Permutations 2nd Match –  Japan vs USA (August 2024)

• Japan cannot improve on 11th place even if they beat USA  or drop down if they lose.
• If the USA loses,  they will drop to 10th (their equal lowest position)
• Should the USA Women’s Eagles win, they will regain the two places lost after last weekend’s draw and return to 7th.

Japan Sakura XV Squad vs USA – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 2nd leg

You can see more on the Sakura XV selection here.

USA Squad vs Japan – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 2nd leg

See more on the USA Women’s selection here.

1. Catie Benson – Sale Sharks
2. Kathryn Treder (VC) – Loughborough Lightning
3. Keia Mae Sagapolu – Leicester Tigers
4. Erica Jarrell – Sale Sharks
5. Hallie Taufoou – Loughborough Lightning
6. Rachel Ehrecke – Colorado Gray Wolves
7. Tahlia Brody – Leicester Tigers
8. Freda Tafuna – Lindenwood University
9. Taina Tukuafu – Berkeley All Blues
10. McKenzie Hawkins (VC) – Colorado Gray Wolves
11. Tess Feury (C) – Leicester Tigers
12. Katana Howard – Sale Sharks
13. Emily Henrich -Leicester Tigers
14. Bulou Mataitoga – Loughborough Lightning
15. Sariah Ibarra – USA Sevens
16. Paige Stathopoulos – Beantown RFC
17. Alivia Leatherman – Life West
18. Maya Learned – Colorado Gray Wolves
19. Jenny Kronish – Beantown RFC
20. Tessa Hann – Central Washington University Yet to Debut
21. Sophie Pyrz – Life West / Rhinos
22. Gabby Cantorna – Exeter Chiefs
23. Nana Fa’avesi – USA Sevens

How To Watch Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024

The Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024 will be available on RugbyPassTV.

Japanese International Rugby 2024

• Japan Sakura XV vs USA 1st Test Preview – Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2024.
• Eddie Jones Commits To Developing Youth In New Era of Brave Blossoms at PNC 2024.
• Match Officials & Squads For Japan Sakura XV Tour To Fiji In June 2024.
• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.