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'I will forever love the look on their faces': McKenzie hails Sakura XV
By Francisco Isaac at York Community Stadium, York
The Sakura have earned their third win in a World Cup, the first since 2017, having successfully defeated Spain 29-91 at the York Community Stadium. Japan were down nine points after the first half but were able to adjust their strategy and clinch a spectacular comeback that would see them score four tries in 40 minutes.
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Their triumphant win was Lesley McKenzie’s last, as the former Canadian international is stepping down as Japan’s head coach. While the team had targeted the knockout stage, McKenzie was proud of how much her side had progressed in the last few years.
“My aim for this World Cup was for them to be able to express themselves as a team, to feel the freedom of the game and preparation. I wanted them to experience the best version of themselves.”
Japan had enough opportunities to at least level the game before half-time, failing to see those chances materialise due to handling mistakes or Spain’s hearty defence.
Fortunately, the short break was enough for the Sakura to come out blasting, dominating possession and setting the stage for a stunning rebound.
“It was beautiful,” said the 44-year-old head coach, “I love watching our girls on the front foot, making good decisions and having fun. We scored some great tries, controlled the territory and possession.”
“We couldn’t quite click in the first half, so we said in the locker room that we had to do the things that make us us, smooth our gameplay, sharpen our attack. I was proud that we got there.”
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Lesley McKenzie will never forget her players’ effort and passion throughout her tenure.
“It might sound a bit cheesy, but seeing their faces is something that I will always remember. I am so pleased for them; they deserve this win big time. They’ve put so much work into it. I will forever love the look on their faces,” shared the now departing head coach.
McKenzie made more than a few clinical changes at half-time that woke the team up from their slumber, with replacement scrum-half Moe Tsukui playing a nuclear role for the Sakura’s first World Cup win since 2017.
The 25-year-old shared her excitement for her team’s superb second-half turnaround.
“This campaign, we had a lot of time to prepare compared to previous Rugby World Cups, and we have been building towards this for the past three years. I think we have been able to showcase Japanese rugby and the next generation of girls who are hoping to play in the future, and what we are capable of.”
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Seina Saito joined her teammate to voice her elation over the Sakura’s victory over Spain.
“It was our first in a World Cup in eight years, so we are pleased with it. I think we were able to develop and grow a game plan as a team, which led to this result today.”
Saito came on as a back replacement, helping her team to counter Spain’s nine-point lead, powering the Japanese scrum and attacking gameplay.
Having featured in the 2017 and 2022 World Cups, the experienced number eight explained why 2025 will have a massive role to play in the future of her country.
“I was a different age and a different player in 2017, so the emotions that I feel today are different from then,” said the 33-year-old.
“In Ireland, we were just happy to be there, as it was our first World Cup in a long time. This time around, we had a realistic target to finish in the best eight, and I believe our preparation was flawless; we did everything we could. Even if I am not happy that we didn’t reach our target, this tournament made me realise that in four years Japan will have grown even bigger and stronger, and I am already looking forward to it.”
As the Sakura return for a well-earned break, Lesley McKenzie’s departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for the team, one that is likely to be even more ambitious than before.
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