logo
Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan

Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan

Yahoo7 days ago
Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales
Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST
Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app.
Advertisement
So the depressing decline of Welsh rugby keeps gathering pace.
As the Wales rugby team leave Kitakyushu for a second time in six years, the heady days of 2019 seem a lifetime ago.
When Warren Gatland's squad departed their training base in the Japanese city back then to concentrate on the World Cup, they were second in the official rankings having been top just a month earlier.
Wales were the recently crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions and would go on to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Japan before a narrow defeat to eventual winners South Africa.
Contrastingly, Matt Sherratt's side have departed Kitakyushu to travel to Kobe for the second Test, reflecting on how they relinquished a match-winning position and lost 24-19 to Eddie Jones' Japan in the first match of the series.
Advertisement
It meant a record 18th consecutive Test defeat, continuing a losing streak that stretches back 21 months.
That is a record for a tier one nation, while Japan also recorded a first victory against tier one opposition for six years.
Furthermore, Wales are now in their lowest-ever position of 14th in the world rankings having dropped below Japan and Samoa. Let this latest new low sink in.
Finding new ways to lose
Wales have now followed up their record 68-14 Six Nations defeat against England in March in Cardiff with only a second loss to Japan.
The previous failure came 12 years ago when Jones was also in charge of Japan but this victory for such an inexperienced Brave Blossoms side was more impressive, and in contrast, more humbling for Wales.
Advertisement
The 2013 defeat for Wales came when they fielded a second-choice side with 15 players away with the British and Irish Lions.
Twelve years on, Wales were closer to a full-strength available squad, with only flanker Jac Morgan and scrum-half Tomos Williams initially picked for the Lions in Australia and a few players rested or injured.
After Williams' injury during that tour, Morgan is the only representative left in Andy Farrell's squad to further underline how far Welsh rugby has fallen.
Not many nations would head on a summer tour without a permanent head coach but this is what Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have chosen.
Advertisement
With former head coach Warren Gatland having left the role in February and his successor yet to be appointed, Wales have a fresh coaching staff at the helm for just this trip.
Sherratt has again taken on the interim head coach role before returning to his Cardiff day job next season.
He is backed up by Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson and Leigh Halfpenny, while Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas have continued their Six Nations roles.
While a new coaching team has been put together, the same result emerged on the weekend.
Players devastated by results sequence
Wales full-back Blair Murray made his debut in 2024 [Getty Images]
What can Wales do in less than a week?
The malfunctioning lineout and manner in which Japan gained the upper hand in the scrum, after early Wales dominance, will need to be rectified and questions will be asked on whether replacements could have been introduced sooner.
Advertisement
Sherratt might well reflect on his selection and ponder whether there needs to be changes for next weekend in Kobe.
There might be a chance for fly-half Dan Edwards instead of Sam Costelow. Why scrum-half Rhodri Williams was an unused replacement for Kieran Hardy in the intense heat appears baffling.
Could the Wales caretaker rethink his midfield selection of Johnny Williams alongside Ben Thomas, given the pair are both specialist inside centres?
There has been no consistency in selection throughout the season as Wales are almost hoping they stumble on a winning formula.
For example, Thomas and Williams were the eighth different centre combination in nine games over the 2024-25 campaign.
Advertisement
While the effort and desire is evident, currently the quality or belief is not.
This Wales side have forgotten how to win. In fact, many of the players have never experienced success for their country on the senior stage.
This lack of confidence was glaringly obvious in Kitakyushu as Wales allowed their hosts to recover from a 12-point deficit to inflict further misery on the beleaguered tourists.
The depressing aftermath of these defeats has also become familiar. It continues to be uncomfortable viewing as proud young Welshmen once more experience another loss while representing their country.
Captain Lake looked a broken man afterwards, while seeing inexperienced internationals Tom Rogers and Blair Murray just staring into the abyss after the final whistle was hard to watch.
Advertisement
But this is what the Wales class of 2025 has been reduced to.
Faletau class lives on but lack of leaders exposed
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been involved in three British and Irish Lions tours [Getty Images]
There were some familiar standout players. Number eight Taulupe Faletau is Wales' oldest and most experienced performer on this tour at the ripe old age of 34. He also remains the best player, with his class continually shining through.
While wing Josh Adams was also prominent, Faletau continues to be Wales' leading light as he created two of the three tries for the tourists.
Faletau trudged off slowly during the second half, as he, like many players, appeared to be struggling with the extreme heat, but Sherratt said the veteran forward's withdrawal was a tactical replacement.
Advertisement
Wales will hope he is fit next weekend because they are an inferior side without him.
It was after the Cardiff forward departed on 56 minutes, when the visitors were leading 19-7, that Japan's final-quarter flourish occurred.
Faletau is not the most animated character but he leads expertly by example and his absence in the latter stages was noticeable.
It was evident that, while Wales wilted in the extreme conditions late on, there is also a lack of experienced international leaders in the current set-up as the tourists could not stop Japan's second-half momentum.
Faletau is the final remaining playing member of Wales' golden generation on the international stage and there are few figures coming through to fill the void.
Advertisement
Welsh Rugby Union failures
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood launched a strategy called One Wales in the summer of 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
The players and coaches will be scrutinised following another dire defeat, with some brutal comments on social media already on display.
However, the powerbrokers need to take responsibility, with Welsh rugby in freefall on and off the field.
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has officially been in charge since January 2024, with all 18 international defeats coming on her watch.
She does not pick the team, nor is to blame for why the supply chain of top-class players has dried up in recent years, but should expect questions on why it has taken five months, and counting, to appoint a new head coach.
Advertisement
Tierney, who is in Japan alongside WRU president Terry Cobner, inherited a mess but the demise has intensified during her tenure.
The chief executive and chair Richard Collier-Keywood is responsible for leading the game in Wales which is in disarray across the board.
There has yet been no evidence of strong leadership from the current regime to fix the sinking ship.
New director of rugby Dave Reddin has been tasked with appointing Gatland's successor in time for the autumn internationals, while Tierney and Collier-Keywood have other matters on their agenda.
The domestic game is in flux with a major debate going on about the future of professional clubs in Wales and suggestions the number of teams could be reduced from four to three, or even two.
Advertisement
The WRU has so far remained publicly tight-lipped on its plans for the Welsh game's future, which has created more uncertainty among players, coaches and supporters.
So despite what happens next weekend in Kobe, as Wales aim for a first Test victory in what will be 644 days, it will not be the end of Welsh rugby's turmoil.
A win might provide some short-term respite and a glimmer of hope, with Sherratt saying the squad must channel the hurt from Kitakyushu to fuel their bid to level the series.
But a solitary success will not chase away all the clouds hovering over rugby in Wales. That is the sad reality.
Advertisement
A stormy summer is brewing before next season - with major change required to avoid more depressing days like Wales' latest visit to Kitakyushu.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Belgium edges young Canadians 25-18 in rugby test match
Belgium edges young Canadians 25-18 in rugby test match

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Belgium edges young Canadians 25-18 in rugby test match

EDMONTON — Moral victories usually don't sit well with competitive players on losing teams, but Canada's men's rugby team accepted a 25-18 test loss to Belgium with an air of optimism on Saturday. Canada, which led 13-12 at halftime at Clarke Stadium, was undone by a clinical Belgian counterattack and some self-inflicted miscues at crucial times. Advertisement Still, the squad felt good about its first showing under new head coach Stephen Meehan. Wing Josiah Morra, hooker Andrew Quattrin and replacement Siôn Parry crossed the try line for the Canadians, who fielded a youthful squad that included test debuts for fullback Brenden Black and substitute Kyle Tremblay. Halifax's Cooper Coats added a first-half penalty. Belgium — ranked one spot above Canada at No. 23 in the World Rugby Rankings heading into the match — made the most of limited opportunities, scoring three tries and adding a pair of late penalty goals from Hugo de Francq to keep the hosts at arm's length. 'It was a first run-out with the new setup we're running, and it's really exciting,' said second row Piers Von Dadelszen, who earned Teck Player of the Match honours. Advertisement 'There's a lot we can take away from this — a few passes not sticking, and Belgium were awesome on the counterattack — but that's how we want to play. We're trying to bring a more exciting brand of rugby to Canadian fans, and we're looking forward to it all coming together going forward.' Canada opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a penalty-kick from Coats, before Belgium responded with a converted try from centre Florian Remue, set up by a line-breaking run from his brother Matias. A clever chip from Coats over the top led to Morra's first test try in the 22nd minute, but Belgium struck back three minutes later with a try of their own. Quattrin's try from a rolling maul just past the half-hour mark gave Canada a narrow 13-12 lead at the half, but the second half saw momentum swing repeatedly. A yellow card to Belgium's Remue appeared to give Canada the edge, but the visitors capitalized even while down a man, with Soenen finishing off a cross-field kick following an interception to restore their advantage. A pair of second-half penalties allowed Belgium to extend their lead, while Canada continued to press, eventually breaking through in the final play through Parry and ending the match with Canada's third and final try. Advertisement Captain Lucas Rumball acknowledged the disappointment post-match but struck a note of optimism. 'We're pretty gutted,' said Rumball. "We created some opportunities, but credit to Belgium — when we made mistakes, they capitalized. There's a lot of potential here. We just have to get things right and keep building. Thanks to the fans here in Edmonton for coming out and supporting us.' Saturday's match marked Belgium's first-ever victory over Canada in four test meetings and their first time scoring points against the Canadians since 2021. UP NEXT Canada will complete its two-match home series at Edmonton's Clarke Stadium with a clash against Spain on Friday, July 18. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025. The Canadian Press

Steve Smith and Starc dragged into ugly scenes as West Indies bowler faces sanction
Steve Smith and Starc dragged into ugly scenes as West Indies bowler faces sanction

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Steve Smith and Starc dragged into ugly scenes as West Indies bowler faces sanction

West Indies quick Jayden Seales could be set for a fresh sanction after handing both Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc an over the top send-off after their dismissals. The Aussies were left reeling on day one of the third Test having been bowled out for 225 in the pink ball clash. While Smith and Cameron Green offered up some resistance, the West Indies bowlers dominated under lights with no player reaching a half-century. And Seales wasn't going to let his previous fine from the ICC deter him from getting in the faces of the Aussies and stirring up the emotions. Smith was closing in on his half-century when he edged a Shamar Joseph delivery to second-slip. And Seales opted to get in Smith's face and celebrate as he walked off the pitch. Reporter Bharat Sundaresan claimed the umpires then pulled Seales aside after yet another elaborate send-off from the quick this series. But Seales wasn't finished there and saved his biggest for last. The West Indies quick bowled Starc for his second-wicket of the evening. The delivery cut back and when straight through bat and pad to clean up the stumps. And Seales celebrated directly in Starc's face as he pointed at the bowler. Starc couldn't help but smile as walked off the pitch. While Starc may have seen the amusing side of the aggressive send-off, the ICC may not when it comes time to look at the two moments. Seales has already been fined by the ICC after he gave Pat Cummins a send-off on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Australia. Send-offs are a thing of the past and strictly forbidden under the ICC's current laws. Article 2.5 of the ICC's code of conduct forbids "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal." Seales may have once again crossed the line SEALES SENDS HIM OFF!! 👀It's not exactly the welcome Mitchell Starc was looking for in his 100th Test, getting bowled by Jayden Seales for a 🦆!Catch every ball of Australia's tour of the West Indies live on ESPN on #disneyplusau / #disneyplusnz 📺 — ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) July 13, 2025 Proper send-off for Steve Smith from Jayden Seales. Was jumping up & down yelling at Smith's face and the umpires pulled Seales aside for a chat immediately. They did have an exchange in the previous over too #WIvAus — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 12, 2025 In the first match, Cummins took it to Seales before he became the West Indies bowler's fourth scalp when he hit one straight to Kraigg Brathwaite at mid-off. Seales was clearly frustrated after leaking runs and pointed Cummins in the direction of the dressing rooms. This saw him fined 15 per cent of his match fee and earn one demerit point. "In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Seales, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking his tally of demerit points in a 24-month period to two," the governing body said in a statement after the first test match. If a player accrues four demerit points in a 24-month period they receive a ban. Seales could be close to this four demerit point limit after his two clashes with Smith and Starc this time round. RELATED: Pat Cummins drops surprise Nathan Lyon hint as Australia weigh-up change Huge concerns for West Indies as cricket world calls out brutal detail Smith was the star of the Aussie batting line-up once again having reached 48 before his wicket. Green was able to add 46, but was Seales' first wicket of the day after a beautiful delivery took out his stumps. And while Australia only managed to scramble 225 on the board, Green was full of compliments of Smith. "It was almost like he was batting on a different wicket," Green said of his veteran partner. Despite struggling against teh pink ball, Green was impressed with his teammates having left the West Indies 1-16 to start the day's play tomorrow. "We just wanted to give them a tricky last 45 minutes at the end and to get them one down is really crucial," he added.

'Changing times': Fans question Nathan Lyon snub as Sam Konstas in fresh setback
'Changing times': Fans question Nathan Lyon snub as Sam Konstas in fresh setback

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'Changing times': Fans question Nathan Lyon snub as Sam Konstas in fresh setback

The Aussies left the cricket world stunned having dropped Nathan Lyon from the Test side to play the West Indies in the day-night match with Sam Konstas and the batting order once again needing rescuing from the bowlers. Captain Pat Cummins hinted 24 hours before the day-night clash Lyon wasn't immune to being left out of the XI with the side considering their options. And the Australian side confirmed the offspinner would not take part in the Pink-ball Test in Kingston with Scott Boland entering the side. This marked the first time in 12 years Lyon had not been selected for the XI when fit.' Lyon had taken part in every Test he has been fit for since the second Test of the 2013 Ashes. This included a stretch of 100 consecutive matches. While he missed the Lord's Test in 2023 due to a calf injury, the off-spinner returned after. While the Aussies claimed it was a one-off decision based on the wickets that have played against the West Indies, it also could be a sign of things to come. Lyon was a peripheral figure for parts of the test series against India last summer having watched the quicks do most of the damage. Lyon only took nine wickets against India across the five Test matches and didn't even bowl in some innings. Across Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney the spinner played second-fiddle to the quicks. And with one-eye on the Ashes coming up, Lyon could be left out for tactical reasons if the pitches favour the quicks once again. Despite being dropped, Lyon has a stellar pink ball record in Australia having taken 43 wickets at 25.62 throughout his career. Although last year against India, Lyon was hardly used having bowled just one over. And he didn't bowl at all against England in the 2021-22 Ashes. I think last occurrence of him being fit and not playing was that Ashes test where Agar got 98. Sign of changing times ahead — Socially_Silent (@Swapnil265000) July 12, 2025 Australia bat first in the pink ball Mitchell Starc 100th Lyon has been replaced by Scott Boland in the line-up. There's live grass on the wicket, could be interesting. Brathwaite, Carty and Anderson out for Windies, Kelvin Anderson, Warrican and Mikyle Louis… — Peter Lalor (@plalor) July 12, 2025 While one veteran was left out, a youngster was given another chance to prove himself. Konstas has struggled this series having scored 33 runs across four innings before the pink ball Test. And things didn't get much better for the 19-year-old having been trapped in front for LBW to Justin Greaves' first ball for 17. Konstas now averages just 10 this series with Australia wondering how to bring back the excitement around the young star. Konstas looked shattered again having trudged off the field, but he isn't the only concern for the Aussies. Usman Khawaja also struggled again having been dismissed for 23 off 92 balls. While Khawaja was able to get time out in the middle, his run scoring against quicks hasn't been overly impressive in recent months. Khawaha is averaging 20.6 this series with one innings remaining. Australia's second innings will hand selectors one last chance to look at both Khawaja and Konstas before the Ashes. Australia have used a number of openers in recent months with Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne both having a crack, before finding themselves out of the team. Cummins and the Aussie coaching staff appear set to give Konstas an extended run at opener to give him a chance to prove himself. However, the scrutiny on both Konstas and Khawaja will be intensified come the first ball of the Ashes. Although it wasn't just the top order that struggled again. Despite Steve Smith and Cameron Green getting close to half-centuries, the Aussies suffered a collapse in Kingston. Australia once again failed to put together a solid innings have been bowled out for 225. While Cummins will be confident his bowling unit can get the job done with the pink ball, questions remain over the Aussie batting line-up heading into the Ashes. I think Konstas needs to take a step away, work on his game away from the limelight, then have another crack at it. He looks utterly broken right now. And at just 19, I don't think the mental trade-offs are at all worth it. — Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) July 12, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store