New Zealand vs Japan Preview & Prediction | 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup | Pool Stage

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

A quarter-final berth will be assured should New Zealand win here, and the six-time champions will be in no mood to let that opportunity pass them by.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – CBS Sports

How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport Website & app / US – Paramount+

New Zealand vs Japan prediction

New Zealand made a typically impressive start to the tournament last weekend, swatting aside the challenge of Spain to record a 54-8 victory in York.

Allan Bunting's side know that another win here would book their passage into the quarter-finals, and the six-time champions will be looking to lay down a marker ahead of tougher tests to come.

There were one or two plus points for Japan in their 42-14 defeat to Ireland, but their positive spells of possession rarely put points on the board, and they lacked a clinical edge when it really mattered.

The Black Ferns are the heavy favourites here and they are more than capable of racking up an even bigger score than they did against Spain.

New Zealand vs Japan tip: New Zealand to win with -57 handicap