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What to watch in women’s rugby: All to play for as Japan host USA

WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 15: Olivia Ortiz of the United States passes during the Pool B Rugby World Cup 2021 match between the United States and Japan at Northland Events Centre on October 15, 2022, in Whangarei, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Following last weekend’s dramatic draw in Kitakyushu, both teams head into the second and final Test of USA’s tour of Japan with a shot at winning the series.

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Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa will host the series decider on Saturday, and you can watch all the action live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

The tour forms an integral part of both teams’ preparations for WXV, with USA set to make their top-level debut next month and hosts Japan due to travel to South Africa again to take part in WXV 2.

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Hollie Davidson | Stronger Than You Think

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Hollie Davidson | Stronger Than You Think

Although they will compete in different levels of WXV next month, nothing could separate the teams at Mikuni World Stadium last Sunday.

Japan took an early 7-0 lead amid sweltering conditions in Kitakyushu when Ayasa Otsuka converted Wako Kitano’s 12th-minute try and they crossed the whitewash once more late in the first half through Nijiho Nagata.

Olivia Ortiz had got the Women’s Eagles on the scoreboard by then though and when Summer Harris-Jones touched down on the stroke of half-time, McKenzie Hawkins was able to give her side a slender 14-12 lead with her second successful conversion.

Despite spending large spells of the contest inside their own half, the hosts reclaimed the lead within six minutes of the restart as Masami Kawamura scored Japan’s third try.

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Fixture
Women's Internationals
Japan Womens
8 - 11
Full-time
USA Womens
All Stats and Data

However, Otsuka could not convert leaving the door ajar and the Women’s Eagles eventually made territory and possession count as Hawkins landed a 78th-minute penalty to secure a 17-17 draw.

Speaking after the first Test, both USA head coach Sione Fukofuka and captain Tess Feury admitted the Women’s Eagles would need to tighten up at the breakdown and with ball in hand if they are to beat Japan.

“We’re lucky we get another shot which is super exciting,” Feury said. “We definitely want to clean up our breakdown. The Japanese team came up physical and we weren’t ready.

“So, we have a few days to prepare now so we’re gonna go back to work.”

Find out whether it will be USA or Japan who raise their game in Shizuoka this Saturday live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

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Saturday, August 17th

10:00 BST (GMT+1) – Japan v USA, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa – WATCH LIVE HERE

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Fresh from that achievement, Crane stopped by the Stronger Than You Think studio to discuss travelling the world, appearing on reality TV show Love Island, dealing with an eating disorder and struggling with the pressure to perform.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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