Graham Price: Wales' players lack resolve and let themselves down against poor Japan

Wales Online

08-07-2025

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Well, we let ourselves down badly on Saturday. This was a golden opportunity to get the monkey of 17 consecutive defeats off our backs and we blew it.
In the first half we had them where we wanted them but we didn't kill them off when the opportunity presented itself. If we had continued in the way that we started the game, the result would have so easily been in our favour. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
After three tries and Japan a man down, we should have taken complete control of the game. Japan were awful in the first half. Wales had chances galore and should have been further ahead at half time than 19-7.
Even then, with a relatively experienced bench to come on compared to Japan's six debutants, we were well on course before the team completely lost its way.
Our set pieces let us down and this should not happen against a team like Japan.
In truth, there were two very poor sides on display. Japan were bad and we were even worse.
Most of our previous opponents have given us lessons in quick recycling and taking play through many phases. Japan didn't do this but they did continually make extra yards when being tackled, creating a target for supporting players. We don't do that. We mainly just go straight to ground with no power going into the tackles and, consequently, we lose any impetus.
The two oldest men on the field, Taulupe Faletau and Michael Leitch, set the highest standards which, unfortunately, not many others followed.
According to the post-match interviews we believed we were in control. At that time we should have gone for the jugular. Instead we took our foot off the gas and allowed them to be in the position where they could come back at us.
A lot had been made of how we were going to cope with the heat and humidity and the 'brutal' training session the players were subjected to.
My coach, at Pontypool RFC, Ray Prosser, a British Lion himself, was a stickler for fitness. He believed success is built on 80% fitness; 15% ability and 5% luck. 'Use fitness against your opponent as if it were a weapon," he used to say.
But, at times like this, it is not just down to fitness. What about resolve and tenacity? They are the qualities that are supposed to come into play when the chips are down.
In my experience, you only get out of training what you are prepared to put into it. In other words, if you are truly competitive by nature, the first person you need to be competitive with is yourself.
Was it down to selection?
(Image: Getty Images)
While it wasn't the team I would have selected, it was a team that, on the day, should have been able to comfortably account for Japan.
The only real issues I had were not selecting Elliot Dee on the bench. After all, he is recognised as the most reliable lineout thrower in Wales. As it turned out we were under pressure in the lineout as soon as the subs came on.
The other was selecting Jonny Williams out of position at 13. You're not doing him, or the team, any favours. If you want a playmaker at 12 then choose a recognised 13. However, if you want Williams in the team play him at 12 and then select a recognised 13 alongside him.
Regarding the selection of the team for the second test, I'm fairly sure there are many who would drop the whole of the first test side apart from Taulupe Faletau. I don't think they can play that badly again. But then again I don't expect Japan to play as badly as they did again.
Ben Carter is obviously unavailable so Feddie Thomas would take his place. I think it was being rather naïve allowing Will Rowland and Adam Beard to have the summer off under the circumstances.
Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell need to return to the starting line-up and I'm not sure about the front row. I'm not happy with the performances of Assiratti or Griffin and I don't know much about Chris Coleman, other than unfavourable comments on social media.
The half backs were guilty of aimless kicking so I believe Dan Edwards should have an opportunity being partnered by Rhodri Morgan.
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
We could do with something to cheer us up after the Wales loss to Japan and following Tomos Williams' tragic injury that has cut short his Lion's tour.
Fortunately for Welsh fans watching on, Jac Morgan produced his man of the match performance against Queensland Reds.
The team to face Brumbies is quite a strong selection and contains a number of players with something to prove to Farrell before the first test.
Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki have to demonstrate that they combine better than the Scottish pair of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones who are in pole position having stolen a march on the Irish lads.
Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman and James Lowe could well prove to be the test team back three.
Of more interest to Welsh fans is the selection of Tom Curry and Ollie Chessum as competition for Jac Morgan in the back row, particularly Curry. At the moment I would place Jac to start in the first test, especially after his MOM performance and the compliments Farrell made.
Morgan appears to be carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. Let's hope this will prove to be a better week for Welsh rugby.