Wales fend off Japan fightback to end losing run
Played under the closed roof of the Noevir Stadium, Wales scored three first-half tries, with Josh Adams opening the scoring and Kieran Hardy going over twice after Lee Seung-sin's penalty, but Japan struck on the stroke of half-time through Shuhei Takeuchi.
Although Dan Edwards' penalty extended Wales' lead, they slipped into trouble as two tries in quick succession from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley brought Japan back into the game.
🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴
Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌 #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL pic.twitter.com/x9wNGwp4s2
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025
However, Edwards crossed with five minutes remaining to seal a much-needed victory for Wales and snap a lengthy losing run to secure a first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup.
Matt Sherratt made four changes from the side beaten by The Brave Blossoms last weekend, with Freddie Thomas, Archie Griffin and Aaron Wainwright lining up alongside Edwards, who was making his first start.
Wales scored the opening try when Blair Murray squeezed through a gap and charged down the pitch before offloading to Adams to cross. Edwards added the conversion.
Japan had a great opportunity when Ichigo Nakakusu eased through the Welsh defence and looked to have played in Michael Leitch, but the flanker was hauled down as Wales recovered.
A mistake allowed Wainwright to pounce on a loose ball before launching a tidy grubber kick up-field for Adams. The winger reached the ball on the try-line but was unable to get a firm grip to ground it and it bounced out of play.
Japan earned their first points of the game from Lee's penalty kick, but the visitors extended their advantage shortly afterwards from a line-out where the rolling maul reached the edge of the try-line and Hardy was able to reach over and touch down, with Edwards converting.
💥 Josh Adams 🤝 Kieran Hardy 💪 #WelshRugby #JPNvWAL pic.twitter.com/CEsoCMn2Bw
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025
Faulua Makisi was sent to the sin bin and Wales soon took advantage of their extra man when a great switch in play allowed Adams to cut in from the left and break forward before passing into Hardy, who dived over, with Edwards scoring from the tee.
Japan pulled a try back just before half-time when Takeuchi surged over the line and Lee converted.
Wales suffered an early blow after the break when Nicky Smith was forced off through injury. Gareth Thomas came on, and although Japan started well, it was Wales who struck next as Edwards kicked a penalty.
The hosts then enjoyed a superb build-up of phases which resulted in Dearns powering over the line and following a TMO review the try stood, but Lee's conversion flew wide of the posts.
Wales suddenly found themselves in trouble as Riley latched onto a sloppy pass and sprinted up the centre of the pitch to cross underneath the posts. Lee converted to reduce the gap to two points.
A cagey end to the game followed, but the visitors piled forward with five minutes to play and a quick move to the left allowed Edwards to cross before converting his own effort to wrap up the win.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
30 minutes ago
- The Guardian
World Cup will use more indoor venues for day-time kick-offs to combat heat
Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, has said indoor air-conditioned venues will be used as much as possible for day-time kick-offs at the 2026 World Cup to combat expected high temperatures. Concerns have been raised about player welfare during the Club World Cup in the US, which will co-host next year's tournament with Canada and Mexico. Enzo Fernández described conditions during Chelsea's semi-final against Fluminense, when the temperature was 35C, as 'very dangerous'. Infantino said better use would be made of indoor air-conditioned venues in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Vancouver. There are 16 host venues – 11 in the US, two in Canada and three in Mexico. Vancouver has by far the coolest average June and July temperatures of the indoor venues. 'The heat is definitely an issue,' Infantino said. 'It's an issue around the world. I remember it was the same in the Olympics in Paris and in other football games. But we have stadiums in America that are covered and one in Canada in Vancouver and we will definitely use these stadiums more during the day.' Infantino declared the Club World Cup a huge financial success and said the revamped, 32-team tournament had generated close to £1.5bn in revenue. The competition concludes in New York on Sunday with a final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, which is due to be attended by Donald Trump. Infantino said: 'The golden era of global club football has started. We can say definitely this Fifa Club World Cup has been a huge, huge, huge success. Of course, there are a lot of positives, some negatives. We respect everyone's opinion. It has been successful. 'We heard financially it would not work but I can say we generated over $2bn (£1.48bn) in revenues with this competition. We earned on average $33m per match. There is no other cup competition in the world that comes close to $33m per match. It is already the most successful club competition in the world.' Infantino responded to criticism over poor attendances at some matches by saying 2.5m tickets were sold, equating to an average of 40,000 per match. 'There is no league in the world with that number, except the Premier League which, of course, has home teams.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Infantino thanked Trump for his endorsement of the tournament. 'He loves the game,' he said. 'You cannot organise a competition like this without the full support of the government. Great thanks to president Trump – he has been fantastic and he is attending the final tomorrow as well.'
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star comes 'full circle' and Jac Morgan gets new high-profile admirer
Today's rugby news as Wales star comes 'full circle' and Jac Morgan gets new high-profile admirer These are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13. Jac Morgan of the Lions thanks his fans after the tour match (Image:) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13. Wales debutant hails 'full circle' moment New Wales debutant Keelan Giles says it was a long time coming, as he came 'full circle' - making his debut against Japan nine years after being denied a first cap against the same opposition. The Ospreys wing had been named on the bench against the Brave Blossoms as an 18-year-old back in 2016, but didn't get on in Cardiff that day. Since then, injuries have kept him from getting his hands on a Wales cap - but after a lengthy wait, he finally achieved it after getting on for the second half of Wales' 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe. That victory was made even sweeter for Giles given it ended an 18-Test losing run for Wales. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "It's a massive day, a special day for me and my family," he said afterwards. "They made the trip over, which made it extra special. Article continues below "It's unbelievable. It's been a long time coming. "It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on. So it's extra special and a special feeling." Wales captain Dewi Lake spoke after the victory at Noevir Stadium about how this long-awaited victory should be a springboard to better things. "It's huge," said the hooker. "As Jockey spoke about, everyone's worked hard over the last four games but especially over the last five weeks. "So the confidence this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us moving forward. Just a massive thank you to the coaches, Jockey, that have built that confidence over the last five weeks and allowed us to express ourselves on the field. "That's been a massive help." Former All Black coach praises Jac Morgan Wales openside Jac Morgan has gained another high-profile admirer as he bids to win a place in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions Test team - with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster singing the 25-year-old's praises. Morgan played the full 80 minutes on Saturday against the AUNZ Invitational side in Adelaide - perhaps suggesting that he's not in line to start next week against the Wallabies in Brisbane. Competition for the seven jersey is fierce, with Tom Curry and Josh van der Flier both in the mix. But Foster, who was part of the AUNZ Invitational side's coaching team, picked out the Welshman as the Lion he was most impressed by on Saturday. "You can't help but be impressed with Morgan at the moment," he said. "He's going good as a loosie (loose forward). "There'll be a lot of consideration about that loose forward trio, but they're mobile, they're skilful and he is a tough player. "Look, he just works hard. You could see that we were a bit short in some of our connections at the breakdown on early phases a couple of times and he made a bit of a meal of that. He's good in that space, but he had great support too." Farrell muted on Farrell Jr The 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational side also saw Owen Farrell make his first appearance for the Lions on this tour after being a late call-up to replace the injured Elliot Daly. The decision by Andy Farrell to call up his son, despite an injury-hit season in France, has not gone down well with everyone. But the former England captain showed his worth off the bench, with a strong cameo that might just have moved him into the matchday squad for the Tests. However, afterwards, Farrell Sr played down his son's performance. "He did OK, he did OK, as did many others," he said. "There were some great individual performances, wasn't there? But I suppose those individual performances gelled together as a collective." Ford proud of the boys By PA Sport Staff England captain George Ford said he was 'proud of the boys' after a last-gasp 22-17 victory over Argentina in San Juan sealed a 2-0 Test series win. Replacement scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet went over in the final minute with the score locked at 17-17 following Guy Pepper's brilliant blind-side break as England followed up last week's 35-12 win in La Plata in style. Ford, who made his 101st Test appearance for England, said: 'We found a way in the end. We had a lot of opportunities in the 22, but couldn't get over the line. 'I'm proud of the boys. I like our fight, our togetherness, showing how much we care. 'There was some great stuff, we should have scored more tries but the attitude of the group is great.' Both sides scored two tries in the first half, with Argentina twice hitting back through centre Lucio Cinti and wing Ignacio Mendy after touchdowns from England pair Seb Atkinson and Freddie Steward. In a fast and furious encounter at the Bicentenary Stadium, Santiago Carreras' first-half penalty had edged Argentina into a 17-14 interval lead, with George Ford's penalty in the second period hauling England level before Van Poortvliet's thrilling late effort. Argentina captain Julian Montoya said his side paid the price for their ill-discipline. He said: 'We were not good enough, we have to be honest with ourselves. I am sorry we couldn't get the win, we gave away too many penalties.' England forward Ben Curry was sent to the sin-bin for his high tackle on Pablo Matera in the 20th minute and Argentina made their advantage count as Cinti went over for their opening try. Argentina were reduced to 14 men in the second half when number eight Matera received a yellow card just before the hour for killing the ball at a maul just yards from his try line. Article continues below Two tiring teams maintained their ferocious battle – almost entirely in Argentina's half – as the game headed into the final 10 minutes. But with the clock ticking down, replacement flanker Pepper stole clear from a maul and after charging down the blind side he turned inside to send the supporting Van Poortvliet over for the decisive score.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
What happened to Luis Rubiales and where disgraced ex-Spain chief is now
Ex-Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales saw an appeal against his sexual assault conviction dismissed last month, two years after he kissed Spain captain Jenni Hermoso without consent Luis Rubiales, the disgraced ex-president of Spain's football federation (RFEF), is nearly two years into his three-year ban from football. The 47-year-old saw an appeal over this ban dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in February, and last month, had his sexual assault conviction upheld. A moment of celebration for Spain in 2023, when they defeated England 1-0 in the Women's World Cup final, quickly developed serious undertones via Rubiales' post-match behaviour. Rubiales was criticised for a series of incidents, including carrying a player over his shoulder, giving a peck on the cheek to another, and kissing the captain of the side, Hermoso, during the medal ceremony. Such acts triggered a series of protests and calls for his resignation, which ultimately came in September of 2023. The matter involving Hermoso was taken to court, and while Rubiales has always claimed that the kiss was consensual, he was convicted of sexual assault on February 20, 2025, and ordered to pay a fine of £9,300. He was also ordered to stay at least 200m away from Hermoso and cease contact with her for one year. While Rubiales appealed this decision and the ban FIFA handed him in October 2023, both were upheld. We examine Rubiales' case in detail, including what the 47-year-old is up to now and why former captain Hermoso did not make this year's Euro 2025 Spanish squad. Where is Luis Rubiales now? In the wake of his actions, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banned Rubiales from all football-related activities for three years in October 2023, one month after his RFEF resignation. He was provisionally suspended for an initial 90 days after the events that occurred after the World Cup final. This ban was appealed and considered by FIFA's appeal committee, but it was upheld. The case went before CAS this year and was dismissed again. This means that Rubiales' ban will last until October 2026, and he has served almost two years of it, with 14 months remaining. He has stayed silent since the appeal over his sexual assault conviction was dismissed by a Spanish court in June. Luis Rubiales' mother's hunger strike In August 2023, Rubiales' mother, Angeles Bejar, started a hunger strike in support of her child, in light of the backlash and calls for his resignation. Bejar had locked herself in a church in her hometown of Motril in southern Spain to protest how her son was being treated, and stayed in the building from Monday until Wednesday, when she was taken to a local hospital, according to a local priest. She was later discharged that evening after Rubiales visited her and departed the hospital at 11:30pm local time. Bejar told reporters before the strike that she would continue "indefinitely, day and night" amid an "inhuman and bloody hunt" for her son. Prosecutors' calls for Luis Rubiales to receive prison time Rubiales was not the only one to appeal his conviction, which saw him found guilty of sexual assault but not guilty of coercion, with it being alleged that he coerced Hermoso to downplay the post-final kiss. Prosecutors requested a retrial of the High Court sentencing in March, claiming that Rubiales deserved to be jailed and the initial judge was biased in his favour. They had demanded that Rubiales face two and a half years in prison, 12 months for sexual assault, and 18 months for alleged coercion. This was dismissed. Where is Jenni Hermoso now? Having played for Mexican side Pachuca during the incident in 2023, Hermoso later signed with Tigres UANL in 2024 and remains with the club. With Euro 2025 in full swing, record goalscorer Hermoso was not selected by Spain coach Montse Tome, who said that her absence was down to competition for places. "We have assessed her performances for Tigres and spoken with her coach, but in her position, we have Patri [Guijarro], Aitana [Bonmati], Alexia [Putellas], Maite [Zubieta], Vicky [Lopez] and even Mariona [Caldentey] or [Claudia] Pina can come in there," said Tome. "It's hard to pick 23 players, but we do the job professionally and at the end of the day, that is what we have chosen. I spoke with her at the beginning of the year about her situation and we have done the same work with her as with everyone else." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
