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BBC News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Leitch ranks win against Wales as best of career
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: 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. Japan captain Michael Leitch says the first Test 24-19 win in Kitakyushu is the number one victory in his Jones's Japan extended Wales's record losing streak to 18 internationals, thanks to a second-half fightback when the hosts scored 17 unanswered 36, has won 88 caps and been involved in famous World Cup victories against South Africa in 2015 in Brighton and on home soil against Scotland four years later, which was Japan's previous victory against a tier one when asked where Saturday's win ranked in his career, Leitch replied: "It's number one."When you look at Japan and Wales, we are rebuilding at the same pace and a lot of experienced players have left. "For such a young team to get a big win against a classy tier one nation like Wales, it gives us a lot of confidence, so we are happy with the result." Japan aim to create history Jones warned Wales they will face an improved Japan side next Saturday in Kobe for the second and final match of the victory lifted them above Wales to 12th in the world rankings with the tourists dropping to a record low of says his side are looking to create a first for Japanese rugby by clinching the series 2-0."To win back-to-back for Japan has not been done before so it's a chance to create some new history," said Jones."We will be up against a fiery Welsh side who are coming off the back of a loss against Japan."We will be up for it and it is back to the tools on Monday."Wales buckled in the second half under the extreme heat and humidity, although interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake refused to blame the believed they played a factor as Wales scored no points after half-time."Japan heat is no joke, I saw their guys out there second half and they were blowing," said Leitch."We knew if we could keep the tempo up and hold the position, that would get them in the end and it was part of our game plan."I was looking at the guys in the red jerseys and they were feeling it more than us and that was good to see on our part."Jones said before the match whoever dealt with the conditions better would win the game and Leitch believes his assessment was correct."Preparation going into this game was key to our success," said Leitch."We trained hard as a team and Eddie Jones gave us a really good training camp."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan
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.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: 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. So the depressing decline of Welsh rugby keeps gathering the Wales rugby team leave Kitakyushu for a second time in six years, the heady days of 2019 seem a lifetime 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 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 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. 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 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 2013 defeat for Wales came when they fielded a second-choice side with 15 players away with the British and Irish 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 Williams' injury during that tour, Morgan is the only representative left in Andy Farrell's squad to further underline how far Welsh rugby has 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 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 has again taken on the interim head coach role before returning to his Cardiff day job next is backed up by Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson and Leigh Halfpenny, while Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas have continued their Six Nations a new coaching team has been put together, the same result emerged on the weekend. Players devastated by results sequence 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 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 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 example, Thomas and Williams were the eighth different centre combination in nine games over the 2024-25 the effort and desire is evident, currently the quality or belief is Wales side have forgotten how to win. In fact, many of the players have never experienced success for their country on the senior 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 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 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 this is what the Wales class of 2025 has been reduced to. Faletau class lives on but lack of leaders exposed 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 wing Josh Adams was also prominent, Faletau continues to be Wales' leading light as he created two of the three tries for the 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 will hope he is fit next weekend because they are an inferior side without was after the Cardiff forward departed on 56 minutes, when the visitors were leading 19-7, that Japan's final-quarter flourish is not the most animated character but he leads expertly by example and his absence in the latter stages was 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. Welsh Rugby Union failures The players and coaches will be scrutinised following another dire defeat, with some brutal comments on social media already on 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 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 who is in Japan alongside WRU president Terry Cobner, inherited a mess but the demise has intensified during her chief executive and chair Richard Collier-Keywood is responsible for leading the game in Wales which is in disarray across the has yet been no evidence of strong leadership from the current regime to fix the sinking 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 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 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 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 a solitary success will not chase away all the clouds hovering over rugby in Wales. That is the sad reality.A stormy summer is brewing before next season - with major change required to avoid more depressing days like Wales' latest visit to Kitakyushu.
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Brave Blossoms extend Wales losing streak to 18 with 24-19 win
Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms extended Wales' record losing streak to 18 games after winning the first of their two matches 24-19 on Saturday thanks to a furious second-half fightback. First-half tries from Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers and a penalty try looked to have put Wales in control in hot and humid Kitakyushu until Japan scored twice in the second half to snatch the win. "We lost out to them in the first half but our DNA is to play high-tempo rugby," said Japan flyhalf Seungsin Lee. "We haven't been able to beat any of the top 10 teams in the world for a few years now so we're happy. More than anything, it gives us confidence." Wales' last victory came against Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023 and its losing streak is a record for a Tier One country in the professional era. Wales' previous match had ended in a humiliating 68-14 thrashing by England in Cardiff during the Six Nations. With the temperature hitting a steamy 31 degrees Celsius at kickoff, ball handling was difficult. Wales was dealt an immediate blow when Ben Carter went down in the first minute following a heavy head-first collision. The 24-year-old, who was returning to the team after missing the Six Nations through injury, lay prone on the ground for several minutes before being stretchered off and replaced by James Ratti. Wales opened the scoring in the fourth minute, with Thomas going over after Taulupe Faletau had punched a hole in the Japanese defense from a line-out. Japan fought its way back into the game and leveled when Takuro Matsunaga finished off a flowing move with a try in the 16th minute. Matsunaga went off injured soon after and was replaced by debutant Ichigo Nakakusu, one of six uncapped players on the Japanese bench. Nakakusu was given a harsh introduction to international rugby when he gave away a penalty try just minutes after coming on, swatting the ball away from Josh Adams with the Wales winger in a try-scoring position. Nakakusu was also sin-binned for his troubles and Wales took advantage of a temporary numerical advantage when Rogers ran in a third try. The Brave Blossoms were denied a try for a knock-on early in the second half but Nakakusu crossed the line in the 59th minute to bring the home team right back into it. Lee kicked a penalty to close the gap to just two points before debutant substitute Halatoa Vailea put Japan in front with nine minutes to go. "We managed to bend the game to our tempo and attack them more," Lee said of Japan's comeback. "At our training camp we have been practicing for the last 10 minutes of a game when it's tough and we want to show our passing game. "We're happy because this is the result we were looking for."
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Sport
- Bloomberg
Wales Extends Record Losing Rugby Streak With Loss to Japan
By Updated on Save KITAKYUSHU, Japan (AP) — Wales lost again. The longest losing streak by a major test rugby team in the professional era was extended to 18 matches when Wales lost to Japan 24-19 on Saturday.
