Japan put up a fight but suffered three heavy defeats on Saturday in the fourth leg of the Women's World Sevens Series in Kitakyushu.

The Sakura 7s, who reclaimed their "core" status for next season's series by winning a qualifying tournament earlier this month, were always going to be in for a tough time against tour regulars, and so it proved.

They lost 31-0 to series leaders New Zealand and 29-5 to Russia before going down 33-5 to France to finish bottom of Pool A.

At the brand new Mikuni World Stadium, Japan, 10th at the Rio Games last summer, were competing as an invited team as the six-round series made its fourth stop after Dubai, Sydney and Las Vegas. It is the first time Japan has hosted a round of the series.

"I think we are up against a wall, something which we have to face in order to compete on the world stage," coach Hitoshi Inada said. "The physical burden, pace of play, we've got data that they are all different."

"We've been training to keep the ball moving and not to form rucks on attack, which we did to some extent. What needs work is our accuracy. We had chances when we broke through the opposing defense, but the teams at this level have the pace to catch us, unlike in other competitions where we would go on to score tries."

New Zealand won the first and third rounds this year and the three-time champions showed no mercy when facing the hosts.

Despite some promising link-ups through the middle of the park, Japan had no answers to the Kiwis' blistering pace. Portia Woodman began the onslaught with the game's first try, and four of her teammates emulated her effort in the 31-point battering.

Russia, who beat France 26-5 in their opener, had Elena Zdrokova go over twice as they led 24-0 at the break. Mayu Shimizu set up Honoka Tsutsumi as Japan finally scored their first try of the tournament, but the hosts failed to threaten again.

New Zealand managed a last-minute 19-14 comeback win over France, but Les Bleus were too much for Japan, touching down five times. Tsutsumi again provided the only try for Japan deep into the second half as she shrugged off tackles while streaking in from her own half.

"I had the ball when my teammates had made their moves (and drawn defenders away) so I had space around me. It's all down to them," said the 19-year-old from nearby Saga prefecture, who said she was stunned by the level of competition, but also excited to be involved.

"For instance, the Russian players have long strides and their pace suddenly accelerated after their first, second steps, and we need to close them down before they get going," she said. "But I was thrilled to compete with top-level players and enjoyed playing."

New Zealand topped the pool by beating second-placed Russia 22-7, while reigning champions and Rio gold medalists, Australia, without a round win this season but second in the overall standings due to consistently good results, also qualified with three wins, holding off runners-up Fiji 17-12 in Pool B.

Canada, who won the second event of the season, won Pool C after they made it three out of three by claiming the battle of unbeatens 29-12 against the United States.

France and England are also in the quarterfinals on Sunday as the best third-placed teams, with Brazil missing out on point difference.

Japan, Spain, Brazil and Ireland head into the consolation round, known as the Challenge Trophy semifinals, with the teams playing to determine the ninth through 12th ranked teams.

==Kyodo