When I told my wife I had got tickets to see Japan play a rugby match in Tokyo she thought it was for a World Cup match even though that is taking place nearly 10,000 kilometres (about 6200 miles) away in France. Maybe she just thinks the Rugby World Cup is always in Japan!

The tickets were actually to see Japan’s Sakura Fifteen women’s team play against Fiji at Chichibunomiya Stadium last Saturday evening. She should really know better by now as 13 months earlier we watched the same team defeat Ireland in what was a very enjoyable match and occasion, so I thought we’d go again.

That was our first time to see a women’s rugby match and as soon as it was announced in August that Japan would be playing two matches against Fiji I was keen to witness it. The two teams locked horns six days earlier in Fukuoka in what was a close contest resulting in a 29-24 victory for Sakura Fifteen. Consequently, I was hopeful for an exciting second match in Tokyo.

I decided to reserve our tickets in advance this time as it was 1000 yen cheaper than just paying on the day. Taking place nearly a month later than last year, the temperature in Minato Ward was a little lower but still warm and humid as we took our seats ahead of the 6:10 pm kick off.

The timing of this match was quite good I guess, and there was a healthy crowd in attendance as it capitalised on the increased interest in the game at the moment. The two squads took to the field shortly after sunset and lined up for their respective anthems but there were no tears this time from my wife for the Japanese one!

Admittedly, the interest was higher for last years clash against the Irish but it was still a pretty good turn out for the arrival of Fijiana 15, and free flags on arrival for spectators were a welcome addition.

I’ve got a lot of affection for Fiji after I spent 10 days there in 2002 (on the back of 15 months backpacking around Australia and New Zealand), and so I am a bit of an expert on the country!! Having said that (ironically of course!), I had never actually seen Fiji play in any rugby match until this occasion.

It didn’t take too long to witness the first try, and when Japan scored it I thought it might be a rather one-sided affair. Fiji fought back though and ran in a couple of tries before Japan regained control and led 24-19 at the break in an entertaining half.

In the second half, substitute lock Jennifer Nduka came on to make her debut for Sakura Fifteen. I know nothing about her or her ethnicity but it’s always interesting to see such players wear the Japan shirt in such a homogenous society.

Japan’s Sakura 15 seemed to be in control as the match neared its conclusion but they let in Fiji for two late tries which resulted in a tense final few minutes where a converted try for Fiji would’ve given them victory. Japan kept hold of the ball though and managed to run down the clock and hold on for a 2-0 clean sweep in this test series.

Final Score: Japan 41 – 36 Fiji

Meanwhile in France, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been going on since Sptember 8th. With many of the biggest and most important clashes taking place during the night I haven’t been able to see as much as I’d have liked. So far I have mostly consumed it via highlights with a few live games here and there. Japan National Stadium was actually supposed to host the 2019 final but it was never ready in time. The gallery within that stadium has a small exhibition of rugby memorabilia designed to generate more interest in the tournament.

Over in Shibuya there is a pop-up store selling some official Rugby World Cup merchandise including the shirts of a few countries involved.

If you can afford any of those shirts, then you can probably afford to take taxis around Tokyo and there are some special Brave Blossoms ones running for the duration of the competition.

Bonus: Here are the details of last years Sakura Fifteen victory over Ireland which actually was one of my favourite live sports matches of 2022. Bring on 2024!

The three rugby matches I’d seen in 2023 prior to the Sakura Fifteen one were all in the Japan Rugby League One Championship, and the most recent one back in April was also at Chichibunomiya Stadium.

Click here to read ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby! My Return To Kashiwa’s Secondary Stadium After 19 Years!’

Click here to read ‘Japan’s Sakura 15 Rugby Team Host Ireland In Tokyo: My First Ever Women’s Match!’

Click here to read ‘Rugby World Cup Fever Grips Japan For Six Memorable Weeks Of Action’

Click here to read ‘Japan & South Africa Meet For The First Time Since “That” Huge Shock In 2015’