new Zealand is set to face Japan in a highly anticipated match. A victory for New Zealand will secure their place in the knockouts. Additionally, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has the opportunity to make history as she stands on 49 tries, level with Doug Howlett as her nation’s all-time top scorer.

Japan, after their initial defeat to Ireland, aims to showcase their potential. Their recent wins against USA and Spain demonstrate their capabilities, requiring a similar level of effort to their men’s team’s historic victory over South Africa at RWC 2015.

Kick-off: 14:00 BST, Sunday, 31 august

Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter

How to watch: Check out your local TV options.

Teams and Key Players

New Zealand’s key player: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the 18-year-old full-back, is one to watch, especially with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe alongside her.

Japan’s key player: Captain Iroha Nagata, a mainstay since RWC 2017, carries significant responsibility as the team faces a formidable challenge.

“I’m just doing my job. I’m lucky enough to be on the end of each pass and score as many tries as I have.”
– New Zealand wing portia Woodman-Wickliffe

Coaches’ Perspectives

New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting: “It’s going to be the first game for a few ladies this week.It’s all 32 players. We’ve got the ultimate respect for Japan. They are a well-coached team, I’ve seen them grow. They are technically and tactically really sound. We’ve got to play this game really well. We are really focused on our game. We want to build off last week. I thought we started really strong in terms of our mindset and intent. We’ve had two and a half weeks together and our ladies intend to grown and build. That’s our game. I think we had 17 errors (against Spain),but we don’t want our ladies to stop. We just need to get better.”

New Zealand wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe: “It gets the excitement of the crowd and people watching it and it’s cool and exciting but I’m just doing my job. I’m fortunate enough to be on the end of each pass and score as many tries as I have. Top try scorer of the Rugby World Cup, men or women, whatever, none of those records has ever meant anything to me really. It’s as a result of the team and the players I’m playing alongside. It sets the tone for all women in sport, all women rugby players, anything is achievable with a supportive habitat and an absolute belief in yourself, but again it comes down to the team and environment. I am extremely proud to have scored as many tries as I have. What I would love to impart to any young athlete coming through is to chase your dreams, you never know where it’s going to end up. Just have a crack at it. Sometimes it feels like a cringe moment that I retired and did this big declaration and now I’m back! It’s exciting. I love rugby, I love the girls.”

Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie: “they’ve named a really strong team. We’ve named a team that we think is going to bring us the attitude and the energy to make a statement about who we are and how we play on Sunday. As head coach, the opportunity to play the world champions in your pool stage is really exciting. You want to hit first before being hit when you play new zealand. The team they’ve named is a real statement; they’re here to make an impression this weekend. If we sit back against them, we’ll get blown off the park.Having mentioned that, we’re not here for that. We’ll start the way we need to: with aggression, with line speed, within our systems, and hopefully with the discipline to avoid taking on unnecessary pressure.”

Japan captain Iroha Nagata: “After the opening game,it was a huge shock both individually and as a team. But in the first high-intensity training of the following week,everyone’s energy was incredible. On top of that, the non-playing members contributed with so much energy as well, which made for a great session. As both a person and as captain, I felt that the team is really well connected. I’m truly excited about the opportunity to face New Zealand, the defending champions, and I can’t wait for the game. With respect for them, we want to bring out Sakura Fifteen rugby and focus on ourselves, showing that approach right from the start of the match.”