Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Japan draw proves costly as USA slip down rankings

Action from the first match of the two-Test series between Japan women and USA at Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu on 11 August, 2024 (photo credit: JRFU).

USA slipped two places to ninth in the latest World Rugby Women’s Rankings following a dramatic 17-17 draw with Japan in Kitakyushu.

ADVERTISEMENT

Japan outscored their visitors three tries to two at Mikuni World Stadium, but the metronomic boot of McKenzie Hawkins ultimately helped earn the USA a share of the spoils in the first of the teams’ two-Test series.

The USA were 14-12 in front at half-time – thanks to tries from Olivia Ortiz and Summer Harris-Jones, both converted by Hawkins – but fell behind early in the second half to an unconverted home try.

Video Spacer

Watch the best tries of WXV 2023

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Watch the best tries of WXV 2023

      Despite playing much of the match in Japanese territory, the Women’s Eagles had to wait until the final two minutes for the opportunity to equalise.

      Hawkins made no mistake from the kicking tee, taking her personal tally for the match to seven points and ensuring the match ended all square.

      Japan gained 0.34 rating points for the draw, but they remain in 11th place, 4.97 points behind Ireland in 10th.

      Things are much tighter in the top 10 and having lost the same amount of points – 0.34 – the Women’s Eagles dropped from seventh to ninth.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Wales and Italy are the teams to benefit, moving up to seventh and eighth respectively in the wake of Sunday’s result.

      Related

      The USA are now just 0.71 rating points ahead of Ireland, but there are also only 1.75 points between the Women’s Eagles in ninth and sixth-place Scotland.

      Sunday’s match was a useful run-out as both teams prepare for WXV 2024. Japan will again line up in WXV 2 in South Africa, where they are scheduled to play the hosts, Scotland and Wales.

      USA, meanwhile, will make their top-level debut next month and are due to play England, France and Ireland in Canada.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      The second and final Test of USA’s tour will played at Shizuoka Stadium next Saturday and you can stream it live and for free via RugbyPass TV.

      Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 tickets

      The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England. Click here to buy tickets.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

      HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

      Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

      Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

      Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

      Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      The Rise of Kenya | The Report

      The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      TRENDING
      TRENDING Ex-All Blacks left confused after bizarre game strategy Ex-All Blacks left confused after bizarre game strategy
      Search