By Mohamed Bahaa

The United States women’s rugby team slipped two points to ninth place in the women’s rugby world rankings after a hard-fought 17-17 draw with Japan in Kitakyushu. Japan scored three tries more than their visitors in the thrilling match at Mikuni World Stadium, but the precision of McKenzie Hawkins’ shot secured a draw for the USA in the opening game of their two-match test series.

The Women’s Eagles started strongly and led 14-12 at halftime. Try’s from Olivia Ortiz and Summer Harris-Jones, both of which Hawkins converted, secured their lead. But a missed try in the second half put Japan ahead and underlined the pressure on the USA.

The U.S. team had to wait until the final seconds to equalize, despite controlling the game for most of the time and spending a lot of time in Japanese territory. Hawkins showed great control and converted a penalty in the final two minutes, bringing her total for the game to seven points and securing a tie.

Japan remain in 11th place, 4.97 points behind Ireland, although the tie added 0.34 points. The tie cost the USA 0.34 points, dropping them from seventh to ninth in the rankings. Wales and Italy could move up to seventh and ninth place respectively with their slide.

The difference between the USA and Ireland, which is ranked 10th, is now just 0.71 points. The Eagles women’s lead of 6.75 points over Scotland, which is ranked 6, underlines the competitiveness at the top of the rankings.

The match provided important experience as both teams prepare for the 2024 annual women’s rugby union competition between national teams (WXV 2024). At WXV 2024 in South Africa, Japan will face hosts Scotland and Wales, while the USA are preparing for their top-tier debut next month, where they will face Ireland, France and England in Canada.

Next Saturday, the last game of the US trip will take place at Shizuoka Stadium, which they hope to end with great success.