Japan Women Aim to Blossom at Women Rugby World Cup 2025

A single image tells the story of the captured moments after Japan’s defeat to Italy at the 2021 Women Rugby World Cup held in 2022. It marked the end of their campaign without a single win. That memory still lingers, but today, the Sakura Fifteen are on a different path. With the Women Rugby World Cup 2025 in England fast approaching, Head Coach Lesley McKenzie is clear. Japan won’t be heading to the tournament just to take part; they’re going to compete.

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This time, we’re going to compete, McKenzie says firmly. These players have evolved since 2022. They’ll bring something distinctly Japanese to the world stage. It’s something fans will be thrilled to watch. McKenzie’s journey with Japanese rugby began in 2018, after a career that saw her earn 25 caps for Canada.

Initially brought in as an assistant coach for Japan’s women’s sevens team, she was soon promoted to lead the women’s 15s programme. What she found was a system in need of revival. It seemed like a blank slate, she reproduces. The programme was dormant. I knew if I couldn’t make an impact from the ground up, I wasn’t right for the job.

Japan from Rebuild to Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Redemption

Her strategy was to start simple, focusing on fundamentals like integrity in contact and tackle support. We couldn’t chase everything at once, she explains. We picked a few core areas and assembled from there. That focus allowed us to lay a strong foundation for the Women Rugby World Cup 2025 cycle. Though the 2022 tournament didn’t yield wins, it provided essential experience.

Since then, the team’s mindset has visibly shifted. Narrow losses in 2024, once taken quietly, now spark frustration. You could see the disappointment on their faces after losing tight matches. That hunger, that expectation to win, it’s new, and it’s powerful.

One of the proudest moments for McKenzie came during Japan’s standout performance against the USA in April 2024, a sign of the team’s growing belief and cohesion. McKenzie also acknowledges Japan’s unique rugby culture. Early on, I only saw flashes of what made their system special.

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With renewed purpose and a bold vision, McKenzie and her team are preparing not just to participate in 2025 but to make history. When Lesley McKenzie first immersed herself in Japanese rugby, she encountered more than just the discipline and structure she expected. She uncovered a team brimming with untapped potential and a culture deeply rooted in resilience and unity. She expected what many do: disciplined players, high fitness levels, and a structured system.

WRWC 2025: Lesley McKenzie’s Culture-Driven Rise with Japan

But what she discovered was far deeper: a culture of quiet resilience, powerful unity, and immense potential waiting to be unlocked. As the 2025 Women Rugby World Cup in England draws near, Japan’s promise is turning into performance. Back in 2019, as the Tokyo Olympics neared and the Sakura Fifteen underwent a period of transition. McKenzie was tasked with the challenge of rebuilding and assembling a refreshed 15s squad.

With support from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), several player camps were launched. Giving her a chance to assess around 40–50 athletes, including veterans from the 2017 Women Rugby World Cup. These sessions laid the groundwork for Japan’s bid to qualify for the 2021 World Cup played in 2022 and beyond.

A cornerstone of McKenzie's leadership has been personal connection. From day one, I made it clear that I wanted to know my players, she says. Even with language barriers, technology bridged the gap. Google Translate helped us communicate freely. I’ve always been available for them, and we made sure clubs understood that strong player-staff relationships were part of our culture.

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Japan’s Tactical and Emotional Evolution Ahead of the Women Rugby World Cup

Since her arrival, Japanese women have grown in both performance and confidence. Wins against global teams like Ireland, Italy, Scotland, USA, Spain, Fiji, South Africa, and Australia are no longer rare achievements but signs of real progress. McKenzie attributes this success to two key traits: Positive and collective. Those two words define this team. Their ability to work together is like nothing I’ve seen elsewhere. It’s their superpower.

Women Rugby World Cup: On the field, Japan’s technical development is clear. Our speed in recycling possession and ability to maintain pressure phase after phase is now a defining aspect of our game. Defensively and offensively, it makes us tough to break. Our set-piece has strengthened too, and we’ve become far more disciplined. Add in the individual brilliance we’re starting to see, and you’ve got a team that can challenge.

After seven years with the JRFU, McKenzie reflects on the emotional depth of her journey. Reading the words of our players moves me. To know I’ve helped them reach their dreams, it’s the most rewarding part. These women have always had the talent. Now the world gets to see it in 2025.

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