The Sakura XV continued their dominance as they got crowned champions of the Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026 following a commanding 71–12 victory over Hong Kong China in Game 2 in Almaty.
Japan showcased their class, depth, and attacking precision to secure the title with authority, building on their strong opening round win against Kazakhstan.
Japan set the tone early with a try from Otoka Yoshimura, quickly followed by consistent accuracy from Minori Yamamoto from the tee. The Sakura XV maintained relentless pressure throughout the first half, with tries from Jennifer Nduka, Moe Nagaoka, and Juka Fuji, while Rinka Matsuda once again proved instrumental, crossing twice before halftime.
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Japan continued their dominance in the second half, adding further tries through Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Sora Nishimura, Kanna Hayashi, Komachi Imakugi, and a third try from Rinka Matsuda, as the scoreboard extended to a comprehensive 71 points.
Hong Kong China responded with tries from Sabrina Chung and Yuei-Tein Fion Got, alongside a conversion from Zoe Smith, but were ultimately unable to contain Japan’s attacking momentum.
Korai Sakurako, Vice-Captain of Japan, delivered an outstanding defensive performance and was deservedly named the Emirates Player of the Match, highlighting her leadership and impact across the field.
This result follows Japan’s opening round victory over Kazakhstan, confirming their unbeaten run and reinforcing their position as one of Asia’s leading women’s rugby nations. Japan’s triumph also marks another significant chapter in the history of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, first established in 2006.
Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai praised the overall standard of the tournament and the continued rise of women’s rugby across the region.
“The Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026 has once again showcased the continued growth and competitiveness of women’s rugby across our region. Congratulations to Japan on securing the title,
I would also like to thank our title sponsor, Emirates and the host union, Kazakhstan Rugby Federation for delivering an excellent tournament in Almaty. We now look forward to the final match of the championship and another exciting contest to conclude a fantastic week of women’s rugby in Asia,” said Qais Al Dhalai.
The match, along with the full tournament, has been broadcast globally across multiple platforms, including YouTube and RugbyPass TV, ensuring fans around the world can follow the action and continue supporting the growth of women’s rugby in Asia.
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