MATCH REPORT – HONG KONG CHINA 5-63 JAPAN

Hong Kong China Women's XVs concluded their Asia Rugby Emirates Championship campaign with a 63-5 defeat to tournament hosts Japan in Fukuoka. Following Tuesday's 29-12 win over Kazakhstan, the girls have repeated the team's 2024 achievement in coming runners-up in the tournament, with Japan once again lifting the trophy with two wins from their two matches.

Hong Kong China 5-63 Japan: Watch the match replay via Asia Rugby Facebook or RugbyPass TV.

Match Report

In blustery conditions in Shizuoka, and with both teams wearing away kits for the title decider of the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship, Hong Kong China were beaten by Japan Sakura 15s, who lifted their 7th title – and third in a row – in a 63-5 win on Sunday 24 May.

Lewis Wilson, Hong Kong China Women’s 15s Head Coach, said after the loss, “We had good preparation, even though it was a short turn around but as a coaching group, we reinforced those areas of three-phase accuracy and attack, and we didn't quite get any joy until the second half. At the break, we talked in our huddle about looking after the possession, where they contested us well.”

Captain Pun Wai Yan added, “We knew this week we would have a big challenge, and it was about how we accepted that challenge. I think we had some good moments in the game. We managed to put some pressure on them in moments, and at times, we played in the right areas.”

“But they are a good team, and they applied pressure on us and forced us to think about how we could attack them.”

Hong Kong China never gave up in the game and even started the opening 8 minutes well with the lion's share of ball and territory but once the Japanese found their stride and got the ball moving, they were a difficult outfit to stop with four tries in total for their left wing debutant.

Japan crossed the try line first within the opening ten minutes, and the game saw a few early mistakes from dropped balls and forward passes.

The hosts had the advantage of the wind at their backs in the opening half, but also used some great tactical kicking to put Hong Kong China’s back three under pressure. The solo runners were then being picked off by the Japanese tacklers at the breakdown, which put our women under pressure, and Japan started to exert their dominance.

The lineouts from the Sakura were also effective, and they had good driving mauls, which the girls battled hard to contain but got better as the game went on.

Trailing 10-0 after 14 minutes, Hong Kong China had opportunities but at times struggled to win the ball at the breakdown, but there were plenty of players being staunch in defence, as Roshini Turner from the second row often led the line speed to put pressure on the dangerous Japanese backs.

Left wing Natsuki Ouchida scored the first of her four tries after 25 minutes for a 22-0 lead, and the hosts scored five in total for a 29-0 lead at the break.

Captain Pun Wai Yan also had racked up the stats with good carries and numerous tackles in the half, but Hong Kong China’s best chance to score fell to Zoe Smith, who broke free on the right wing, but Japan snuffed out the chance to kick it dead at the half.

Roshini Turner said of the contest, “There were moments in that game in which we had small victories, and moments where we put them under good pressure and where we put phases of attack together. They are at the ascendancy in their journey as they head to the Rugby World Cup, and we are at the beginning of ours. We came out after WXV, and there was a real reset point at the start of this campaign, so the coaches and players have come together really well.”

Japan had one hand on the trophy as they chased a 7th title and third in as many years by scoring a couple of early tries in the half, and coach Lewis Wilson had started to ring the changes by the 50th minute.

There were some good episodes of attacking play, great defensive reads in the half, but Japan counter-attacked so well and with pace.

Finally, it was Chong Ka Yan, who had been well defended in both games, who broke the Japanese defence with a break and solo run from 30 meters out to score after evading desperate tackles in the 58th minute for a 41-5 scoreline.

Hong Kong China also picked up pace with quick taps from penalties, and Japan were starting to concede a few. Both sides emptied the benches, and Naomi Peeters came on for her second cap after also coming off the bench in the win over Kazakhstan.

In the final ten minutes, Japan added a couple more tries, and were effective in turning defence into attack, as Hong Kong China did enjoy several periods of attacking phases.

Japan were ultimately too strong on home turf and claimed the title in the 2025 Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.

Wilson concluded, "We set out some clear objectives, and I feel that as a player and management group, we achieved quite a few of those. I'm disappointed we conceded that number of points, but they have outstanding players and were very clinical.

“I have loved working with the group, and it has been by far the best and most enjoyable group I have worked with as a player or a coach. The group has sacrificed so much and re-established for me so much what rugby means as a coach and a spectator, or a player.”

Naomi Peeters who has earned her first two caps in international rugby in the championship said after the game, "In international rugby, there are more nerves as you are representing Hong Kong China, but one similarity is that there is always respect on the field, and your teammates are always going to be there for you, and there are positive vibes around."

Royce Chan, Programme Lead for the Women’s 15s, said November tests are in the works. “I think the plan is for us to look for more game exposure for the women's team, especially in the fifteens. We want to gradually build, and we are ambitious and put our hands up to qualify for the next World Cup.”

On Lewis Wilson and his contribution, she added, "Lewis has contributed so much already in his time with us, and so many things that are behind the scenes. He picked up the role in a challenging time and has rebuilt, and it means so much for the team and people back in Hong Kong, so I would like to say a massive thank you to him."

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