Japan vs Samoa – WXV 2 2023 Match Preview

Japan’s 28-15 loss to Italy to open their account in WXV 2 2023 was a tough loss for the Sakura Fifteen and they will aim to rectify results against a Samoan team who will undoubtedly bring the physicality in South Africa.

The Japan loss also means the Irish, following their heavy win over fellow Asian side Kazakhstan in WXV 3, topple the Japanese who dropped down in the World Rugby Rankings – Ireland took 10th, Japan are 11th, while Samoa are ranked 15th.

Samoa lost their opener against the USA 36-26 and even though they conceded 6 tries, they were a threat on the attack too and secured a bonus point in their loss. It was also Samoa’s first loss of 2023 and they conceded nearly as many points against the USA as they had done in their four previous tests in 2023 (41).

The WXV 2 match on Saturday 21st October will take place at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town and it is only the second time the two nations are playing a women’s test, with the first taking place in 2001!

Japan will rue the missed opportunities they had against Italy, having spent nearly three more minutes in attack than their opposition, making more carries, metres and line-breaks but they were not clinical and only scored 15 points from 18 visits into the Azzurre 22.

Head Coach Lesley McKenzie has made four personnel and two positional changes to their starting line-up, with Haruka Hirotsu coming in at the inside-centre and Kanako Kobayashi moving to outside-centre.

Hinato Komaki enters at loose-head prop, Kotomi Taniguchi comes in at hooker and Sakurako Korai lines up at blindside flanker, with Seina Saito starting at number eight. Sakura Fifteen is captained by openside-flanker, Iroha Nagata.

Sakura Fifteen High-Performance Advisor Simon Middleton said, “This tournament is perfect for the team. We’re ready to make the step up to play teams of the calibre of Italy, Samoa, and Scotland. It gives us a great opportunity to play high-quality opposition consistently.

Last week against Italy, although we didn’t get the result, we put in a very strong performance and created lots of opportunities. But we also showed a little bit of our inexperience in that we didn’t take some of these opportunities, while an experienced Italy took theirs. That’s what you learn through experiencing more games and more tournaments, which is why WXV is so fantastic for this team.”

For Samoa, Head Coach Ramsey Tomokino has made four personnel changes with one positional switch from their loss to USA. Hooker Sosoli Talawadua, scrum-half Faalua Tugaga, left winger Michelle Curry and centre Hasting Leiataua come into the Samoa team.

The Manusina will need to improve their relationship with the referee as half of their 14 penalties in the loss to the USA came at the ruck.

Holly Wood (England) is the match referee.

Match Permutations – WXV 2 2023 – Japan vs Samoa

• Japan cannot improve their rating with victory over Samoa.
• However, the Sakura 15s could still climb from 11th place if they win and Ireland fail to beat Colombia – meaning Japan reclaim the 10th place they surrendered to Ireland after last weekend’s loss to Italy.
• If Samoa wins, they could climb one place to 14th, taking them above Russia.

Japan Squad – Japan vs Samoa – WXV 2 2023 Saturday 21st October 2023

Sora Nishimura, Misaki Matsumura, Kanako Kobayashi, Haruka Hirotsu, Komachi Imakugi, Ayasa Otsuka, Megumi Abe; Hinato Komaki, Kotomi Taniguchi, Yuka Sadaka, Masami Kawamura, Otoka Yoshimura, Iroha Nagata (captain), Seina Saito.

Replacements: Sachiko Kato, Asuka Kuge, Nijiho Nagata, Jennifer Nduka, Ayano Nagai, Kotono Yasuo, Sakurako Hatada, Minori Yamamoto.

Samoa Squad – Japan vs Samoa – WXV 2 2023 Saturday 21st October 2023

1. Ana Mamea,
2. Sosoli Talawadua
3. Rereglory Aiono
4. Olalini Tafoulua
5. Easter Savelio
6. Sinead Ryder
7. Sui Pauaraisa (captain)
8. Nina Foaese
9. Faalua Tugaga
10. Cassie Siataga
11. Michelle Curry
12. Hasting Leiataua
13. Utumalama Atonio
14. Linda FiaFia
15. Karla Wright-Akeli

Replacements: 16. Lulu Leuta, 17. Avau Filimaua, 18. Angelica Uila, 19. Fogamanono Tusiga, 20. Taalili Iosefo
21. Bella Milo, 22. Lutia Col Aumua, 23. Saelua Leaula

WXV 2023 News

• Japan vs Italy – WXV 2 2023 Match Preview.
• WXV 2 2023 Team Guide – Can Japan Win in South Africa?
• WXV 2023 Complete Guide.
• WXV 3 Team Guide – Kazakhstan Nomads Challenging For The Title In Dubai?