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New Zealand vs Japan Women Predictions - New Zealand to condemn Japan to another defeat

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 29 Aug 2025

Brad Newcomb 29 Aug 2025

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New Zealand unbeaten in last 5 matches.
Japan struggling with 8 consecutive losses.
NZ expected to win convincingly against Japan.

Expired

New Zealand won the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup (Getty Images)

New Zealand vs Japan Women Predictions

New Zealand vs Japan Women Predictions
Head to Head
New Zealand Women Form
New Zealand Women Team News & Injuries
Japan Women Form
Japan Women Team News & Injuries

New Zealand kicked off the defence of their Women's Rugby World Cup title with an easy victory. Japan succumbed to yet another loss in their opening Pool C fixture.

New Zealand are undefeated in their last 5 matches.
New Zealand have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
Japan have not won in 8 matches.
Japan have lost 6 consecutive fixtures.

Head to Head

New Zealand and Japan meet for the first time in a competitive match.

New Zealand Women Form

New Zealand registered an easy victory in their opening Women's Rugby World Cup fixture last weekend, beating Spain 54-8.

New Zealand scored three converted tries in the first half to lead Spain 21-3 at the break.

New Zealand produced an excellent second-half display, scoring five tries and four conversions to seal the win.

New Zealand beat Australia 38-12, drew 27-all with Canada, and thumped the USA 79-14 in the recent Women's Pacific Four Series tournament.

New Zealand should not have a problem getting the result against a Japanese side that has lost six matches in a row and is winless in the last eight.

New Zealand Women Team News & Injuries

Jorja Miller and Ayesha Leti-Iiga each scored a brace against Spain.

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Georgia Ponsonby, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Theresa Setefano each dotted down over the try line last weekend.

Renee Holmes slotted seven conversions in the match.

Forwards: Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea,

Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu

Backs: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant, Logo-I-Pulotu, Lemapu-Atai’i, Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka, Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

Japan Women Form

Japan conceded four converted tries in the first half against Ireland in their opening Women's Rugby World Cup match last weekend, going into the break trailing 28-7.

Japan added a converted try to their tally in the second half but conceded another two converted tries to lose 42-14.

Japan lost 31–24 to South Africa, 29–13 to Scotland, and 19–10 to Wales in three matches between September and October last year. Additionally, Japan lost 33–15 to Italy in a recent international friendly.

Japan have been out of sorts recently, often losing, which is not the form to have when taking on the defending champions, New Zealand.

Japan Women Team News & Injuries

Haruka Hirotsu and Masami Kawamura scored a try each against Ireland last weekend.

Ayasa Otsuka kicked over two conversions in the match.

Forwards: Ayumu Kokaji, Asuka Kuge, Kotomi Taniguchi, Sachiko Kato, Wako Kitano,

Hinata Komaki, Miharu Machida, Manami Mine, Nijiho Nagata, Ayano Sakurai, Yuna Sato, Otoka Yoshimura, Kyoko Hosokawa, Masami Kawamura, Sakurako Korai, Iroha Nagata, Jennifer Nduka, Seina Saito

Backs: Megumi Abe, Moe Tsukui, Ayasa Otsuka, Minori Yamamoto, Nao Ando, Mana Furuta, Sakurako Hatada, Haruka Hirotsu, Kanako Kobayashi, Komachi Imakugi, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Misaki Matsumura, Rinka Matsuda, Sora Nishimura

Verdict

New Zealand v Japan Women

New Zealand will be too good for Japan and are tipped to cover the -54.5 handicap.

New Zealand -54.5

Handicap

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