Japan U18 SDS Girls Win Global Youth Sevens 2024

The Japan U18 Girls SDS participating in the Global Youth Sevens 2024 won the title they last won in 2022 and were runners-up in 2023 – defeating New Zealand and Australia on the way to the title.

Photo Credit – Global Youth Sevens /JRFU

The 2024 edition of the Global Youth Sevens was held at Dilworth School in Auckland and streamed live on NZR+. The tournament attracts some of the best young talent globally and has seen a number of participants to go on represent their senior Sevens squads. In 2024, there were 23 female and 32 male teams competing.

Japan won the girls’ cup and we wrote before the tournament that the squad was there to win as they have had a great record over recent years at the Global Youth Sevens but they still seemed to surprise many teams and fans, although few would have thought they would topple both NZ and Australia in the stylish and disciplined manner in which they did.

Japan’s management staff included former international and Academy director Keiko Asami as well as assistant coach Chiharu Nakamura, the former captain of the Japan Sakura 7s who played at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

You just need to look at the reaction online over the past few days since they won on Sunday in Auckland to see how impressive the young squad was. So much so, that the girl’s tournament MVP as well as two other members of the Japanese squad were selected for the team of the tournament (girls); Umi Kikawa, Leilani Naiyaga, and Hazuki Ouchida (MVP).

Umi Kikawa – Japan SDS

Leilani Naiyaga – Japan SDS

Braxton Sorensen McGee – NZ U18

Rhani Hagan – Australia U18

Amelia Whitaker – Australia U18

Litia Bulicakau – Central Storm

Hazuki Ochida – Japan SDS

Other Japanese players who have played at the Global Youth Sevens and who have gone on to represent the Sakura 7s include Marin Kajiki, Rinka Matsuda and Wakaba Hara who all attended the Olympics.

Photo Credit: Global Youth Sevens – Japan beat NZ in the semifinal

What Was The Reaction To The Japan U18 Girls SDS?

Comments online after the victory included:

• “Absolutely outstanding, played beautiful precision style 7s, amazing heart and beautiful bunch of girls. Deadset crowd favourites all weekend well done Japan!”
• “They played mean, everything was played at pace!”
• “There are some amazing Japanese players in this team.”
• “As these ladies move up through the grades they Will continue to be a force”
• “They executed their plan perfectly against a strong NZ side. There were a number of outstanding girl’s teams in the tournament.”
• “Japan’s victory was a masterclass in tactical precision and unwavering composure under pressure. Their journey to the top was equally remarkable, with dominant wins in pool play and a semi-final upset over New Zealand, where their defence and ruck intensity overwhelmed the hosts.”

Even Australian Schools Rugby posted online, “Japan created the upset of the tournament, defeating the highly favoured New Zealand 28-18 in the semi-final. Japan scored under the posts twice in the first two minutes, the first from a set move which sent #8 straight through a created gap to the line, leaving New Zealand wondering what had happened. Japan never let a flat New Zealand back into the game, defending vigorously while also scoring two more tries. A great match from a highly disciplined, energetic and technically excellent team.”

Photo Credit: Global Youth Sevens

Meanwhile, Allblacks.com reported after the final, “Fast, determined, organised, and precise, Japan thoroughly deserved their surprise victory. In the cup final Japan humbled highly-fancied Australia 26-15.”

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Japan U18 SDS Girls – Global Youth Sevens 2024 Results

Asian Rugby News 2024