Just half an hour before kickoff, the bleak rain passed, resulting in a vibrant atmosphere as the Black Ferns' physicality proved overwhelming for the Sakura. Japan missed 41 tackles and conceded 331 more post-contact metres, which refers to the ground gained after an initial tackle has been made. Japan mauled with commendable aggression and accuracy.
Although Japan faced a heavy defeat, this scoreline marked a significant improvement compared to their previous encounter with the Black Ferns, where they were soundly beaten 95-12 at Eden Park in Auckland in 2022.
Japan made a calamitous start when fullback Nora Nishimura collided with a teammate while trying to retrieve the first clearance kick from Ruahei Demant. She hobbled off the field, and shortly after, Japan made a clearance kick that went out on the full. The Black Ferns sought to gain territory, while Japan attempted two ambitious chip kicks that fortunately worked in their favour. A penalty allowed Japan to advance into the 22, where they showed strength in the maul. However, a gap opened up wide, and right-winger Sakurako Hatada opted to cut back inside when going outside might have been the better choice. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old, in her 23rd Test, managed to score her sixth international try.
Mirroring their performance against Spain last Sunday in York, it took the Black Ferns a dozen minutes to break through. They relied on a familiar combination: Katelyn Vahaakolo set up Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who used her trademark strength to fend off two defenders while sprinting 40 metres for her 50th Test try. Woodman-Wickliffe has become the sixth woman and the first outside of England to score 50 Test tries. She is also the first player, male or female, to achieve 50 Test tries for New Zealand, surpassing Doug Howlett, who scored 49 tries in 62 Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2007.
The sturdy midfield partnership of Sylvia Brunt and Stacey Waaka helped create tries for Jorja Miller and Katelyn Vahaakolo. Braxton Sorensen-McGee added to the scoreline on the left wing, thanks to a delightful pivot and pass from lock Alana Bremner. Sorensen-McGee had previously been denied on the opposite side by the scrambling Japanese defence.
Two more tries capped off the first half. Openside Kennedy Tukuafu blasted through from close range in her 31st Test, while Risi Pouri-Lane was quick to react and score from a ruck that formed near the posts.
In the 42nd minute, replacement lock Laura Bayfield joined Haruka Hirotsu in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on after a box kick from Maia Joseph went astray. Japan capitalised on this opportunity with a pushover try scored by lock Moe Tsukui.
With Brunt off the field for a head injury assessment (HIA) and the bench emptied, the Black Ferns fell into a rut. Japan was stubborn and creative, and when the Black Ferns dragged down a maul in the 66th minute, they conceded a penalty try, resulting in Bayfield receiving a second yellow card. As a consequence, Bayfield will not be available for selection against Ireland in Brighton next Sunday.
Bayfield’s departure ignited a riposte from Miller and Player of the Match Sorensen-McGee, who both sprinted clear to score long-range tries from beyond halfway, demonstrating that the Black Ferns always had another level to reach.
Yuna Sato topped the tackle count for Japan with 18. Jorja Miller had 15 for the Black Ferns.
Japan have won one of their 14 pool stage matches at the Rugby World Cup (L13), their lone victory coming against Sweden in 1994 (10-5). Aurélie Groizeleau from France officiated her 41st Test.,
The Black Ferns have won 112, drawn two, and lost 22 out of 136 Test matches. Their Rugby World Cup record stands at 37 wins and two losses, and they have achieved 16 consecutive wins in Rugby World Cup matches.
The Black Ferns final Pool C match will see them take on Ireland at 1.45am NZT next Monday 8 September at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium.
Black Ferns: 62 (Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jorja Miller 2, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 3, Kennedy Tukuafu, Risi Pouri-Lane, Renee Holmes tries; Braxton Sorensen-McGee 4 cons, Holmes 2 cons) Japan: 19 (Sakurako Hatada, Moe Tsukui, Penalty Try; Ayasa Otsuka con) HT: 38-5