Category: 6. Sports

A place in the knockouts awaits six-time champions New Zealand, should they win. As does a slice of significant sporting history should Portia Woodman-Wickliffe score. She currently stands on 49 tries for New Zealand, equal with Doug Howlett at the top of her nation’s all-time list. 

For Japan, it is all about turning the entertaining endeavour they showed during their opening 42-14 defeat to Ireland into something more substantial. Recent victories over USA and Spain, twice, shows that the Sakura Fifteen have it in them, but it will take a similar effort to that special day the men’s team beat South Africa at RWC 2015.

Kick-off: 14:00 BST, Sunday, 31 August

Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter

If you have a ticket already, make sure you read Canada international and Exeter Chiefs legend Emily Tuttosi’s Guide to her home-from-home. 

How to watch: Head here to get a last-minute ticket.

Or check out our Global Guide to the TV options in your area. 

New Zealand team: 

New Zealand’s key player: It is a difficult question given the quality all over the park. So, instead we are going for someone we cannot wait to watch in action once more: Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The 18-year-old full-back is box office (and she has Portia Woodman-Wickliffe next to her…)

Japan team: 

Japan’s key player: Captain Iroha Nagata carries a lot of responsibility on her slender shoulders. First capped aged 17, back at RWC 2017, Nagata is now a mainstay of a team on the rise. Facing the Black Ferns is quite some challenge and the Sakura Fifteen will need their inspirational skipper more than ever. 

What they said: 

New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting: 

“It’s going to be the first game for a few ladies this week. It’s all 32 players. We’ve got the ultimate respect for Japan. They are a well-coached team, I’ve seen them grow. They are technically and tactically really sound. We’ve got to play this game really well. We are really focused on our game. We want to build off last week.

“I thought we started really strong in terms of our mindset and intent. We’ve had two and a half weeks together and our ladies intend to grown and build. That’s our game. I think we had 17 errors (against Spain), but we don’t want our ladies to stop. We just need to get better.”

New Zealand wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe: 

“It gets the excitement of the crowd and people watching it and it’s cool and exciting but I’m just doing my job. I’m fortunate enough to be on the end of each pass and score as many tries as I have. Top try scorer of the Rugby World Cup, men or women, whatever, none of those records has ever meant anything to me really. It’s as a result of the team and the players I’m playing alongside.

“It sets the tone for all women in sport, all women rugby players, anything is achievable with a supportive environment and an absolute belief in yourself, but again it comes down to the team and environment. I am extremely proud to have scored as many tries as I have. What I would love to impart to any young athlete coming through is to chase your dreams, you never know where it’s going to end up. Just have a crack at it.

“Sometimes it feels like a cringe moment that I retired and did this big announcement and now I’m back! It’s exciting. I love rugby, I love the girls.”

Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie: 

“They’ve named a really strong team. We’ve named a team that we think is going to bring us the attitude and the energy to make a statement about who we are and how we play on Sunday. As head coach, the opportunity to play the world champions in your pool stage is really exciting.

“You want to hit first before being hit when you play New Zealand. The team they’ve named is a real statement; they’re here to make an impression this weekend.

“If we sit back against them, we’ll get blown off the park. That said, we’re not here for that. We’ll start the way we need to: with aggression, with line speed, within our systems, and hopefully with the discipline to avoid taking on unnecessary pressure.”

Japan captain Iroha Nagata:

“After the opening game, it was a huge shock both individually and as a team. But in the first high-intensity training of the following week, everyone’s energy was incredible.

“On top of that, the non-playing members contributed with so much energy as well, which made for a great session. As both a person and as captain, I felt that the team is really well connected.

“I’m truly excited about the opportunity to face New Zealand, the defending champions, and I can’t wait for the game. With respect for them, we want to bring out Sakura Fifteen rugby and focus on ourselves, showing that approach right from the start of the match.”

Ruben Amorim issues another apology to disgruntled Manchester United fans in an incredibly brief 95-word programme notes ahead of their Burnley clash. The Portuguese coach, already skating on thin ice after the midweek Carabao Cup embarrassment at League Two minnows Grimsby, used his platform to plead for unity. But for many at Old Trafford, his words will ring hollow after yet another night of humiliation for a club already teetering on the brink.

Pakistan cricket team once again lived up to the game’s “gentleman’s” moniker by sharing a touching moment with Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan following the tri‑series opener.

The entire Pakistan squad visited Afghanistan’s dressing room to offer their condolences and Fatiha for Rashid Khan after the passing of his brother. Rashid’s elder brother, Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari, reportedly passed away on August 26, just before the start of the tri‑series.

A video of the heartfelt moment quickly spread on social media, with fans from both countries praising the act of sportsmanship and brotherhood. Pakistan’s visit also highlighted the deep bonds between players that go beyond the fierce rivalry on the field.

https:/twitter.com/CallMeSheri1_/status/1961681209119183180

Rashid Khan shares a special connection with Pakistani players through the Pakistan Super League. His appearances for Lahore Qalandars have brought him closer to many of Pakistan’s current representatives, including Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Despite the emotion of the occasion, Rashid delivered on the field. After taking a wicket with the ball in his hands, he showcased his batting prowess as well, smashing 39 off 16 balls to offer a brief glimmer of hope in Afghanistan’s chase of Pakistan’s 183‑run target. His efforts were in vain, however, as Afghanistan lost by 39 runs.

This game will be remembered as much for what happened in the dressing room as for the action on the field.

The Pakistani players’ gesture is a reminder that, at the end of the day, humanity and compassion matter most. No lesson is greater than this.

RIGA (Latvia) – Things are really starting to pick up at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 as we’re coming up on Saturday, the only day of the event with all 24 teams in action across all four groups.

A day that promises to be filled to the brim with excitement awaits with 12 matchups and some countries are already eyeing qualification to the Round of 16, whereas others are still in search for their maiden win.

Make sure you free up some time and get all the screens ready because we’re getting busy:

Key Storylines

• Serbia face hosts with hopes of advancing the perfect run;

• Lithuania and Germany in the battle of the undefeated in Tampere;

• Defending champs Spain aim to bounce back against Bosnia and Herzegovina;

• Doncic, Slovenia take on free-flowing France.

Group A: The Joker vs The Unicorn

Serbia are at 2-0 with two convincing victories, which means they already have their eyes on qualification. However, hosts Latvia will look to spoil these plans after surviving a thriller against Estonia. The Joker vs The Unicorn, that’s a must-watch. Türkiye also stand undefeated and they too will aim for a third win against Portugal, whereas Czechia and Estonia will battle it out to get on the board.

Did you know?

• Czechia have lost their first two games at the event and are in danger of going 0-3 for the second time ever, after 2007.

• Serbia have won all three of their previous FIBA EuroBasket bouts with Latvia. No other team has faced
  Latvia so often without losing.

• Türkiye are undefeated at the EuroBasket 2025 and will try to win their first three games at a single
  event for only the second time in their 26 appearances.

_{All information has been provided by Opta.}

Group B: Can Lithuania contain world champs?

World champs Germany have been the hottest team at the event, scoring 100+ points in both of their first two games. However, Jonas Valanciunas-led Lithuania are also undefeated so one of those teams will suffer their first loss in that blockbuster. Hosts Finland are also in a search for 3-0 as they face Montenegro, whereas Great Britain and Sweden have a bout for the maiden win.

Did you know?

• Rokas Jokubaitis’ 21 points and 12 assists against Montenegro mark the first Lithuanian player’s EuroBasket performance with 20+ points and 10+ assists since Sarunas Jasikevicius in 2003.

• Great Britain have allowed 90 or more points in each of their last five games at the EuroBasket, including
  109 against Finland in their most recent game.

• Nikola Vucevic has had 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in each of his first two games, the first player with that kind of achievement at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

_{All information has been provided by Opta.}

Group C: Champs look to recover

It may be not the same Spanish squad that lifted the title in 2022, but no one expected Georgia to run over the defending champs in that fashion in the opener. Now, Sergio Scariolo’s team looks to bounce back, but motivated Bosnia and Herzegovina led by Jusuf Nurkic await. On the other hand, Georgia will try to double their win tally but face a tough matchup against Italy, whereas Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece expect little trouble against Cyprus.

Did you know?

• Spain lost their opener against Georgia 83-69, their biggest defeat in a preliminary round game since 1989 when also they lost 83-69, but to Italy.

• Sandro Mamukelashvili had 19 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST against Spain, only the second Georgian player with a 15/5/5 performance at the EuroBasket. Toko Shengelia did it twice.

• Cyprus’ bench contributed to just 10 points in their game against Bosnia and Herzegovina – the fewest by any team in the opener at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

_{All information has been provided by Opta.}

Group D: Doncic threatens French defense

In what was promised as the central Group D matchup beforehand, Luka Doncic and Slovenia face a young and feisty France squad. However, the context changed when hosts Poland downed Slovenia in the opener so this becomes a redemption arc for Doncic who faces a stellar French defense that held Belgium to only 62 points. Earlier, Iceland will try to secure their first-ever FIBA EuroBasket win over Belgium as Poland and Israel will finish things off for the day in a battle for 2-0.

Did you know?

• Iceland have lost all of their 11 FIBA EuroBasket games. Only Lebanon with 12 games and Albania – who are still at 0-16 – needed more tries to pick up their first win.

• Luka Doncic scored 47 points in his last game against France in 2022, the second-best scoring performance at the FIBA EuroBasket.

• Jordan Loyd scored 32 points in the opener but no player has ever scored 30+ points in each of his first two games at the EuroBasket.

_{All information has been provided by Opta.}

FIBA