The defending world champions secured their place in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals with a comprehensive 62-19 victory over Japan at a sold-out Sandy Park, but this encounter proved far more testing than many anticipated, with the Sakura delivering moments of genuine quality that belied their world ranking.
Key moments:
1′ – Sora Nishimura suffers early ankle injury, replaced by Minori Yamamoto
4′ – Sakurako Hatada scores opening try for Japan after sustained pressure; Ayasa Otsuka misses conversion (0-5)
13′ – Portia Woodman-Wickliffe reaches 50th international try milestone; Braxton Sorensen-McGee misses conversion (5-5)
16′ – Jorja Miller breaks through Japanese defence; Braxton Sorensen-McGee converts (12-5)
25′ – Katelyn Vaha’akolo finishes flowing move down left wing; Braxton Sorensen-McGee converts (19-5)
31′ – Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores on left wing; conversion missed (24-5)
35′ – Kennedy Tukuafu powers over from close range; Braxton Sorensen-McGee converts (31-5)
39′ – Risi Pouri-Lane scores from driving maul; Braxton Sorensen-McGee converts (38-5)
43′ – Laura Bayfield receives yellow card for deliberate knock-down
47′ – Moe Tsukui replies for Japan with pick-and-drive try; Ayasa Otsuka converts (38-12)
50′ – Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores second try; Renee Holmes misses conversion (43-12)
67′ – Penalty try awarded, Laura Bayfield shown 20-minute red card for maul collapse (43-19)
68′ – Jorja Miller scores solo effort; Renee Holmes misses conversion (48-19)
70′ – Braxton Sorensen-McGee completes hat-trick; Renee Holmes converts (55-19)
72′ – Renee Holmes caps scoring with final try; Renee Holmes converts (62-19)
The day belonged ultimately to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who etched her name deeper into rugby folklore by becoming the first New Zealand player, male or female, to reach 50 international tries. The 34-year-old’s milestone moment came via a trademark 40-metre burst in the 13th minute, using her renowned strength to fend off two defenders after receiving the ball just inside Japan’s half. In doing so, she surpassed All Black Doug Howlett’s previous record of 49 tries, achieved in 62 Tests compared to her 30.
Yet for all the pre-match focus on individual milestones, it was Japan who provided the early shock that reverberated around Sandy Park. Disaster struck New Zealand within seconds when fullback Sora Nishimura twisted her ankle in a collision with a teammate while chasing Ruahei Demant’s first clearance kick, forcing an immediate replacement by Minori Yamamoto.
This early disruption seemed to energise the Sakura, who capitalised on Black Ferns handling errors – four in the opening nine minutes – to establish territorial dominance. The breakthrough came after sustained pressure, with Japan’s patient build-up play culminating in a sweeping move that saw Sakurako Hatada produce a moment of individual brilliance. The 22-year-old winger cut back inside when the outside channel appeared available, showing excellent vision to drag three defenders over the line for her sixth international try.
The early deficit served as a wake-up call for Allan Bunting’s side, though their response was initially hampered by uncharacteristic handling errors and lineout struggles. The discipline issues that would plague New Zealand throughout the match were evident from these opening exchanges, with Japan awarded 11 penalties to the Black Ferns’ five.
Woodman-Wickliffe’s equalising score seemed to settle New Zealand’s nerves, and from that point their superior fitness and handling skills began to tell. The Black Ferns’ trademark quick-fire scoring followed, with Jorja Miller showcasing her versatility at blindside flanker. The 21-year-old, fresh from being named Sevens Women’s Player of the Year, demonstrated why she’s considered one of rugby’s brightest prospects with a weaving run through acres of space for her first try of the contest.
The crucial period came midway through the first half when the formidable midfield partnership of Stacey Waaka and Sylvia Brunt began to assert dominance. Waaka’s barnstorming run created the space for Katelyn Vaha’akolo to finish smartly down the left wing, with Brunt’s delayed pass in the build-up eliminating two defenders and showcasing the tactical nous that has made this New Zealand side so dangerous.
Eighteen-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee announced himself on the global stage with a display that drew widespread acclaim. The fullback’s first try came courtesy of a delightful pivot and pass from lock Alana Bremner, after he had previously been denied on the opposite flank by scrambling Japanese defence. His hat-trick performance throughout earned him player of the match honours and highlighted the depth of talent at New Zealand’s disposal.
Kennedy Tukuafu and Risi Pouri-Lane added further tries before the interval, but the latter’s score came amid controversy. Haruka Hirotsu received a yellow card for a head-to-head collision with Brunt, who failed her subsequent head injury assessment and didn’t return after half-time – a concern for the Black Ferns ahead of sterner tests.
At 38-5 down at half-time, Japan faced an uphill battle, but their response demonstrated the character that coach Lesley McKenzie has instilled in her squad. The Sakura dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second period, with their persistence rewarded when Moe Tsukui burrowed over from close range after sustained pressure on the Black Ferns’ line. McKenzie’s pride was understandable given that Japan fields a semi-professional side against New Zealand’s 45 full-time contracted players, with fewer than 400 women playing rugby in the entire country.
However, any hopes of a sustained comeback were extinguished by Laura Bayfield’s costly indiscipline. The 26-year-old army engineer, making just her third Test appearance, was shown a yellow card three minutes after entering the fray for a deliberate knock-on. Worse was to follow in the 67th minute when she illegally collapsed a Japanese driving maul, earning a second yellow card that became a 20-minute red card and conceding a penalty try in the process.
Bayfield’s bewildered expression as she left the field captured the significance of her error, with the lock now facing a potential suspension that could rule her out of next week’s crucial encounter with Ireland.
With numerical advantage secured, the Black Ferns finally cut loose in the manner many expected from the outset. Sorensen-McGee completed his hat-trick with a magnificent 60-metre solo effort that saw him brush off four Japanese tacklers, while Miller added her second with another individual score that highlighted her pace and footwork.
The statistics painted a comprehensive picture of New Zealand’s dominance – they gained 331 more post-contact metres and forced Japan into 41 missed tackles. Yet the scoreline marked significant improvement from Japan’s previous encounter with the Black Ferns, when they were thrashed 95-12 at Eden Park in 2022.
This victory sets up a tantalising final pool encounter with Ireland next Sunday in Brighton, with both teams unbeaten and pool supremacy at stake. Ireland holds a psychological edge, having defeated New Zealand 29-27 in last year’s WXV tournament – their only victory over the Black Ferns in four encounters.
For Japan, next week’s match against Spain offers a final opportunity to claim their first victory since beating Sweden in 1994. Their spirited display against the world champions, particularly their second-half resurgence, suggests they possess the tools to end that drought and restore pride after a challenging campaign. Japan captain Iroha Nagata remained defiant despite the heavy defeat, saying: “I would like to give gratitude to the crowd and everyone cheering us on. It was physical today, but having the players next to me putting their bodies on the line, I am really proud of our girls. We’re really disappointed with the result, however we started the game really well. So I am looking forward to taking on the last game next week.”
Coach Lesley McKenzie was equally positive about her team’s prospects, adding: “I’m so pleased for them, honestly. Some massively positive passages of play and great character, great intent. Next week we want to show the best of Japan.”
The Black Ferns march on with their World Cup defence intact, though coach Allan Bunting acknowledged areas for improvement. “The Japanese are a quality side across the board. They were pretty squared away in all areas of the game, and obviously probably the big takeaway from us is just our discipline,” he said. “Our discipline allowed them lots of access into our 22 and they were pretty solid down there.”
Despite the emphatic victory, Bunting remained focused on the journey ahead: “Our ladies got some good game time out there. Everyone has had some game time now. I was happy looking at young Brax out there, shining like a little star that she is. The mindset of our ladies has been outstanding, but we have plenty more to build off that.”
Co-captain Ruahei Demant echoed her coach’s measured assessment, reflecting on both the positives and areas for growth. “It took us a little while to find the line with our discipline. I was really proud of the way that we adjusted to that, and full credit as well to Japan. We knew one of their strengths was their bravery, and they showed that not just at the start of the game, but for the whole 80 minutes.”
Despite putting 60 points on a quality opposition, Demant remained unsatisfied with the overall performance. “I mean, it’s only our second game in this tournament so far, and we’re still trying to build our best performance. We showed it there in moments, and that’s the really exciting thing, I think for myself looking forward, is that we put 60 points on a really quality team and we’re still not satisfied with that.”
On Woodman-Wickliffe’s historic achievement, Demant was effusive in her praise: “To add to the legacy and history of the team in black that have come here makes it so much more special. She is singlehandedly the most influential women’s rugby player in the world, I am proud to play alongside her.”
The record-breaking winger herself remained characteristically humble about her milestone. “I think it sunk in when I can see Vahaakolo yelling at me going ‘Aaaah! 50 tries’ running next to me,” Woodman-Wickliffe reflected. “But, to be actually honest, it’s a result of the team. I’m just on the end of the work that the rest of the team puts in. The tries come from what we create together.”
When asked about potential future records, she added: “Plenty. I don’t know what they are but it is a testament to the team. I had to tell my mum ‘don’t talk about it’, there is so much external pressure about it. I thought: ‘I am going to score this one and get it done and out of the way and then I don’t have to think about it for the rest of the game.’ Ultimately it is the team, my job is to finish what the team creates. If I can do that and it adds to the records, so be it, but in my mind that has nothing to do with what I do. I just go out there and do my job.”
Demant was equally complimentary about young Sorensen-McGee’s breakthrough performance: “I am so proud of Brax, this is her first time playing in the World Cup and debut season for the Black Ferns and you wouldn’t know. She is a wise and mature player. She is one of the smallest players this season but she has the biggest heart, bravest heart and biggest shoulders. I am so proud the world can see her talent.”
The player of the match remained modest about his own contribution when asked where his performance had come from: “I have no clue. I’ve got to give it to my girls though. They set me up for most of my tries. It’s all down to them. I have confidence in myself, the girls do well to back me.”
Looking ahead to the Ireland showdown, Bunting expressed confidence in his team’s trajectory: “We wanted to build off last week and our ladies certainly went out there and we had a bit of a plan going into that game and Lou [Demant], she led that pretty well around playing in the right areas. I think we took it up another level, but for us now it’s a good chance for us to have a real good week leading into Ireland.”
Demant’s final assessment captured the team’s mentality perfectly: “We are still a way off, we have not yet put in an 80-minute performance yet. We don’t want to be perfect yet. There’s still an opportunity for us to continue to build as we make our way through the tournament.”
With Woodman-Wickliffe now the outright record holder and young stars like Sorensen-McGee emerging, their squad depth appears formidable. However, as both Demant and Bunting acknowledged, their best performance remains elusive – a prospect that should both concern and excite their rivals as the knockout stages approach.
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