Sakurako Hatada
| Born | 8 May 2003 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 161 cm (5 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 65 kg (143 lb; 10 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Sakurako Hatada (born 8 May 2003) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Early life and career
Hatada started playing rugby at Dazaifu Rugby School in Fukuoka as a seven year old.[1] She continued playing at Chikushi High School where she graduated in 2022, she then enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University.[1]
Rugby career
On 10 September 2023, she made her test debut for Japan against Fiji.[1]
In May 2024, she scored a try against Hong Kong in the opening match of the Asia Women's Championship.[2] A month later, she scored twice for Japan against Fiji in the first of a two-test series.[3]
Hatada was named in the Japanese side to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup on 28 July.[4][5] She scored the Sakura's opening try against the Black Ferns in their 62–19 loss in the pool stages.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b c "畑田 桜子 | ラグビー女子日本代表選手名鑑 | 日本代表 | ラグビー | J SPORTS【公式】". www.jsports.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "Japan overcome Hong Kong China challenge on road to England 2025". www.world.rugby. 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ Naivalurua, Navitalai (2024-06-14). "Japan beat Fijiana 24-15". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "Japan announce squad for women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad Announced". Japan Rugby Football Union. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "NZL 62-19 JPN: Stuttering New Zealand see off valiant Japan". oceania.rugby. 2025-08-31. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "Gallant Sakura Fifteen Succumb to Black Ferns Juggernaut". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-10-14.