Wales overcome wobble to end 18-Test losing streak in Japan

South Wales Argus

12-07-2025

Interim head coach Matt Sherratt succeeded in ensuring the next permanent boss doesn't inherit a nightmare run, although the tourists were far from convincing in Kobe.
Once again they looked like a side who have forgotten how to win after being in a position of strength at 21-3 up approaching half-time, then 24-10 nearing the final quarter.
Mistakes were made, players looked ragged but this time they held on after Japan closed the gap to two points.
Credit to them for that and the hope will be that better performances will come after the release of pressure.
Wales struck three times in the first half to lead 21-10 with wing Josh Adams followed over by scrum-half Kieran Hardy twice.
Japan had cut the gap with the final play before the hooter and then made the most of sloppiness and shoddiness to make it 24-22 in the closing stages.
Eddie Jones' men looked the more likely to win but then some rare composure led to a clincher by fly-half Dan Edwards.
After fluffing their lines in Kitakyushu, Wales enjoyed victory celebrations for the first time since October, 2023 when Georgia were turned over at the World Cup.
It certainly wasn't convincing in the heat and humidity of Kobe, and there were mixed-bag performances from most individuals, but it was job done at the second attempt in Japan.
DEBUT: Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman made his first Wales appearance (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
It also meant that Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman, who came off the bench in the second half for a debut, starts international life as a winner.
Wales appeared to have learnt their lessons from the previous weekend by showing more attacking intent from the off.
That paid off in the ninth minute when Blair Murray made a line break from a Ben Thomas offload and then put Adams racing over.
Dan Edwards converted on his first Test start and a chance went begging to make it a quickfire double when Rogers flung a wild pass after bursting down the right when Japan made a complete mess of a box kick.
The Brave Blossoms came alive in the 20th minute with a sudden burst, but scrambling defence saw talisman Michael Leitch tackled into touch down the left when a leveller looked on.
Wales responded and should have crossed again when Wainwright gathered a dropped ball and kicked through but Adams dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
It would have been chalked off anyway after the TMO and assistants talked referee Luke Pearce into giving a penalty for a high tackle by Josh Macleod in the build-up.
The referee had initially been happy that there was no foul play but instead gave Seungsin Lee a chance to cut the gap from the tee, which he duly did.
Wales responded well through their driving lineout to put the pressure on in the 22, kicking penalties to the corner rather than between the posts.
SNIPE: Kieran Hardy of Wales scores a try (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
That paid off with scrum-half Kieran Hardy darting over under penalty advantage, the try not saving Japan number eight Faulua Makisi from seeing yellow after the offences racked up.
Edwards converted and Wales were again in a position of strength at 14-3 up approaching the half hour.
They needed to hammer home their advantage at the end of the first half against 14 men and did with a huge blow with 36 minutes on the clock.
More intent led to Adams getting the ball on the left, stepping in and racing away before staying cool in the heat to put Hardy over for a try that Edwards converted for 21-3.
That would have been a handy lead at the break but instead the Japanese struck before the hooter after kicking a scrum penalty to the corner.
Playing under penalty advantage, replacement prop Shuhei Takeuchi carried hard, released the ball after being tackled and bundled over after getting to his feet.
That defensive sloppiness allowed Lee's conversion to make it 21-10 at the break.
Japan came out swinging in the second half yet it was Wales that got the first points with Edwards slotting a penalty, won by strong breakdown work from flanker Macleod, in the 49th minute to make it 24-10.
Wales were in a strong position approaching the hour but then shot themselves in the foot.
CLINCHER: Dan Edwards secured Wales' win in Japan (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
Hardy tried a box kick inside the Japan half but without sufficient protection, leading to a charge down and an attack that ended with lock Warner Deans going over from close range.
It looked to be short on the TMO footage but it was deemed that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision of try.
Lee missed the conversion but was soon adding the extras from a Dylan Riley try.
Hardy flung a pass that slipped through Edwards' hands and was pouched by the centre, who raced under the sticks from halfway.
Suddenly it was just 24-22 to Wales and the momentum was all with the hosts.
Wales were all over the shop but found some composure in the 75th minute to clinch the game, a wonderful Taine Plumtree offload in the 22 leading to Edwards dashing over and converting.
At 31-22 with five minutes left, this had to be it. And it was with some players and staff showing their emotion at the final whistle.
Now the new boss will be tasked with starting a winning run as Welsh rugby chiefs grapple with a myriad of off-field issues.
Wales scorers: tries - Adams, Hardy (2), Edwards; conversions - Edwards (4), penalty - Edwards.
Japan scorers: tries - Takeuchi, Dearns, Riley; conversions - Lee (2); penalty - Lee.
Referee: Luke Pearce.