New Zealand Women

62 - 19

Full Time

Japan Women

Japan Women vs New Zealand Women

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

80'

Conversion

Renee Holmes has kicked a conversion.

72'

Try

A series of passes by New Zealand results in a try for Renee Holmes

71'

That's a great try assist by Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

71'

A gap opened in the defence and Braxton Sorensen-McGee took full advantage.

71'

A gap opened in the defence and Katelyn Vaha'akolo took full advantage.

71'

Conversion

Renee Holmes has kicked a conversion.

70'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Braxton Sorensen-McGee leads to a try for New Zealand

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Braxton Sorensen-McGee took full advantage.

69'

That's a great try assist by Jorja Miller.

69'

Japan make a substitution with Nijiho Nagata coming on.

68'

Japan make a substitution with Wako Kitano coming off.

68'

There wasn't enough power on that conversion attempt by Renee Holmes as it drops short of the posts.

68'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Jorja Miller leads to a try for New Zealand

67'

A gap opened in the defence and Jorja Miller took full advantage.

66'

It was a certain try if Japan hadn't been impeded, the referee agrees and awards the penalty try.

66'

Red Card

Laura Bayfield (New Zealand) is shown the red card

66'

Japan make a substitution with Kanako Kobayashi coming on.

65'

Japan make a substitution with Haruka Hirotsu coming off.

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Haruka Hirotsu goes through the gap.

63'

The defensive line has been broken as Jorja Miller goes through the gap.

61'

Manami Mine comes on for Japan.

57'

Sachiko Kato leaves the field.

57'

Kotomi Taniguchi comes on for Japan.

57'

Asuka Kuge leaves the field.

57'

Jennifer Nduka comes on.

53'

Seina Saito comes off.

53'

Ayano Sakurai comes on.

52'

Otoka Yoshimura comes off.

52'

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u comes on.

52'

Layla Sae comes off.

52'

Megumi Abe comes on.

52'

Moe Tsukui comes off.

52'

What a run here by Katelyn Vaha'akolo as they get over the gainline!

51'

Kate Henwood comes on.

50'

Chryss Viliko comes off.

50'

Atlanta Lolohea comes on.

50'

Georgia Ponsonby comes off.

50'

More power was needed in that conversion attempt by Renee Holmes as it drops short.

50'

Try

Slick passing by New Zealand leads to a try for Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

49'

Katelyn Vaha'akolo sets up the try.

49'

Katelyn Vaha'akolo makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

49'

Conversion

Ayasa Otsuka adds the two points for Japan.

47'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Moe Tsukui dots the ball down from close range.

46'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu getting some game time.

45'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Tanya Kalounivale being replaced.

45'

Braxton Sorensen-McGee makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

43'

Yellow Card

Laura Bayfield (New Zealand) is shown a yellow card

42'

New Zealand make a substitution with Laura Bayfield coming on.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Kennedy Tukuafu coming off.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Renee Holmes coming on.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Ruahei Demant coming off.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Stacey Waaka coming on.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Renee Holmes coming off.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Maia Joseph coming on.

40'

New Zealand make a substitution with Risi Pouri-Lane coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

41'

New Zealand sub Theresa Setefano comes onto the field.

40'

Sylvia Brunt departs for New Zealand.

40'

New Zealand sub Renee Holmes comes onto the field.

39'

Stacey Waaka departs for New Zealand.

39'

Conversion

Braxton Sorensen-McGee does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

39'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for New Zealand as Risi Pouri-Lane goes over.

38'

Yellow Card

Haruka Hirotsu (Japan) is shown a yellow card

38'

Conversion

Braxton Sorensen-McGee does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

35'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for New Zealand as Kennedy Tukuafu goes over.

35'

Fabulous play by New Zealand has led to Kennedy Tukuafu being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

New Zealand go for goal with Braxton Sorensen-McGee taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

31'

Try

Silky skills by New Zealand ends with a try for Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

30'

Trouble here as Braxton Sorensen-McGee breaches the defence.

30'

Spellbinding play by Alana Bremner is finished off with a try.

30'

Trouble here as Jorja Miller breaches the defence.

28'

Conversion

Braxton Sorensen-McGee makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

25'

Try

A wonderful passing move by New Zealand is finished off by Katelyn Vaha'akolo

24'

This is dangerous for the defence as Katelyn Vaha'akolo bursts through to advance the New Zealand attack.

24'

Stacey Waaka played a key part in that try.

24'

This is dangerous for the defence as Stacey Waaka bursts through to advance the New Zealand attack.

22'

This is dangerous for the defence as Sakurako Hatada bursts through to advance the Japan attack.

19'

This is dangerous for the defence as Komachi Imakugi bursts through to advance the Japan attack.

19'

This is dangerous for the defence as Braxton Sorensen-McGee bursts through to advance the New Zealand attack.

17'

Conversion

Braxton Sorensen-McGee converts the try.

16'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Jorja Miller leads to a try for New Zealand

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Jorja Miller took full advantage.

15'

Spellbinding play by Stacey Waaka is finished off with a try.

15'

Braxton Sorensen-McGee has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

13'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Portia Woodman-Wickliffe leads to a try for New Zealand

12'

A gap opened in the defence and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe took full advantage.

11'

Braxton Sorensen-McGee played a key part in that try.

11'

There wasn't enough power on that conversion attempt by Ayasa Otsuka as it drops short of the posts.

Try

Great hands by Japan leads to a try for Sakurako Hatada

The defensive line has been broken as Sakurako Hatada goes through the gap.

Haruka Hirotsu sets up the try.

The defensive line has been broken as Komachi Imakugi goes through the gap.

Minori Yamamoto comes on.

Sora Nishimura comes off.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 New Zealand Women v Japan Women 
  
 Round 2 
  
 Sun 31st August 2025, 06:00am PDT 
  
 Sandy Park 
  
 Paramount+ 
  
 Aurelie Groizeleau

Points Flow Chart

New Zealand Women win +43

Time in lead

Mins in lead

83%

% Of Game In Lead

11%

49%

Possession Last 10 min

51%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Holmes

62 - 19

72'

Holmes

60 - 19

71'

Holmes

55 - 19

70'

Sorensen-McGee

53 - 19

69'

Miller

48 - 19

67'

Penalty Try

66'

43 - 19

Bayfield

43 - 12

66'

Sorensen-McGee

43 - 12

49'

Otsuka

47'

38 - 12

Tsukui

46'

38 - 10

Bayfield

38 - 5

42'

Half Time

Sorensen-McGee

38 - 5

39'

Pouri-Lane

36 - 5

38'

Hirotsu

38'

31 - 5

Sorensen-McGee

31 - 5

35'

Tukuafu

29 - 5

35'

Sorensen-McGee

24 - 5

30'

Sorensen-McGee

19 - 5

25'

Vaha'akolo

17 - 5

24'

Sorensen-McGee

12 - 5

16'

Miller

10 - 5

15'

Woodman-Wickliffe

5 - 5

12'

Hatada

0 - 5

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.1

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.1

Entries

Attack Profile

New Zealand Women

Japan Women

More Less

Defence Profile

New Zealand Women

Japan Women

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

78%

68%

3-6 secs

19%

32%

6+ secs

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

56'

61'

65'

66'

75'

New Zealand Women

Japan Women

Black Ferns vs Japan Women Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Black Ferns face off against Japan Women in Women's Rugby World Cup Round 2 on Sun 31st August 2025 at Sandy Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 14:00 and is broadcast on BBC iPlayer. In South Africa it’s at 15:00 SAST on SuperSport, 01:00 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 23:00 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 06:00 EST on Paramount+ in the US.

Black Ferns won the last encounter but Black Ferns are in the best form of their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture, Black Ferns sits at 3 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Japan Women holds 11.

The two sides are separated by 8 places in the rankings with Black Ferns in position 3 and Japan Women in position 11 as such Black Ferns are favourites on paper.

Black Ferns vs Japan Women Squads

The official squads for Black Ferns vs Japan Women will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.