Saki Minami

Saki Minami
Date of birth (1995-11-18) 18 November 1995 (age 29)
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight67 kg (148 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose Forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars 0 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
? Japan 26 (0)

Saki Minami (born 18 November 1995) is a Japanese rugby union player. She plays Prop for Japan internationally. She competed at the 2017 and 2021 Rugby World Cup's.

Rugby career

In 2016, she scored a try in Japan's win against Hong Kong in the Asia Rugby Women's Championship.[1]

Minami competed at the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland.[2][3] She captained the Sakura XVs side in their test against the Wallaroos in July 2019.[4][5] At the end of 2019 she was named as a reserve for the Barbarians women's side that played Wales.[6][7]

In 2022, Minami played for the Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars club in Tokyo. She was captain of the Japan side that successfully ended their Australian tour unbeaten in 2022.[8]

She captained the Sakura's side in her 26th test on 24 September 2022, it was a historic occasion as it was the first-ever match between Japan and the Black Ferns.[9][10] She also led the Sakura's at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[2][11]

References

  1. ^ "Hong Kong Women concede Asian title to Japan". Hong Kong China Rugby. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. ^ a b Odeven, Ed (2022-10-13). "[ODDS and EVENS] For Sakura 15, Women's Rugby World Cup Represents Opportunity for Growth". SportsLook. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  3. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2021: Find out who will be playing in New Zealand as squads are named". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. ^ "Minami hopes Japan's women can create their own history". www.world.rugby. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  5. ^ Doran, Christy (2019-07-19). "'We will challenge': Japan eye their own Brighton miracle over Wallaroos". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. ^ Talbot-Smith, Charlie (2023-11-29). "Preview: Wales Women v Barbarians - Guinness Men's Six Nations". www.sixnationsrugby.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  7. ^ "Ten-nation all-star squad named for Barbarians Women against Wales - Barbarian FC". www.barbarianfc.co.uk. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  8. ^ "Japan women finish tour of Australia unbeaten". www.women.rugby. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  9. ^ "Sakura Fifteen Team Announced for Historic Black Ferns Test Match". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  10. ^ Julian, Adam (2022-09-23). "PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Japan (Eden Park)". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  11. ^ Mockford, Sarah (2022-10-22). "Japan Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – Japan 8-21 Italy". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-05-27.