Yuna Sato (born 11 September 1998) is a Japanese rugby union player. She plays Lock internationally for the Japan women's national rugby union team. She competed at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
| Date of birth | 11 September 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career
editSato featured in Japan's autumn international against Scotland in 2020.[1] In 2021, she was suspended for three weeks following Japan's match against Scotland on 14 November.[2][3]
Sato started in Japan's historic match against the Black Ferns at Eden Park ahead of the World Cup.[4] She was then named in Japan's squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and started in all three of their games.[5][6][7]
Sato signed with the Western Force for the 2023 Super W season.[5][8][9] She made her Super W debut for Western Force in their opening match against the NSW Waratahs.[10]
She was named in the Sakura XVs side for the 2024 Asia Rugby Championship.[11][12] Sato scored a try before half-time to help the Sakura's secure their spot at the 2025 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 WXV 2 tournament.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "Relive Scotland's Autumn Test against Japan". Scottish Rugby. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Independent disciplinary update: Yuna Sato (Japan)". www.world.rugby. 2021-11-16. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Scotland overwhelm Japan in autumn Test". BBC Sport. 2021-11-14. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Julian, Adam (2022-09-23). "PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Japan (Eden Park)". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ a b Williamson, Nathan (2023-03-07). "Force nab Wallaroo Leonard for 2023 season". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Mockford, Sarah (2022-10-22). "Japan Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – Japan 8-21 Italy". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Team Announced For RWC Pool Match Against the USA". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Smith, Ben (2023-03-08). "Force women add five internationals, unveil academy". The West Australian. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "L'internationale japonaise à XV Yuna Sato et Natsuki Kashiwagi signent chez la Western Force". Asierugby (in French). 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Wallaroo Michaela Leonard and Japanese internationals to start in season opener". westernforce.rugby. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen's 26-member squad". Asia Rugby. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ "Japan Squad Announced for Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2024". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Japan beat Kazakhstan to secure place at England 2025". www.world.rugby. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Duskmourne, Quorra (2024-05-27). "Japan Secures Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Berth with Dominant Display". Global Rugby Network. Retrieved 2024-05-28.