Wales found it within themselves to get over the line as another second half capitulation looked like unfolding
It has been 644 days but at long last Wales’ losing run has come to an end as Matt Sherratt’s side beat Japan 31-22 in Kobe. Tries from Josh Adams, Kieran Hardy (twice) and Dan Edwards got Wales over the line.
Wales had to dig deep and had to win the game twice after Japan responded strongly after the break. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia.
Here are the player ratings.
15. Blair Murray 7
A constant threat with ball in hand rarely failing to beat the first defender. Created the first try with a lovely break while he also had a hand in Wales’ second.
Applied a lot of pressure in the aerial battle while there was also one superb 50/22.
14. Tom Rogers 7
Japan targeted Rogers’ aerial game but he was more than up to the challenge. Looked dangerous with ball in hand while his kicking out of hand was also good.
13. Johnny Williams 6
Carried well and brought a physical presence to the midfield. He arguably hasn’t made as much of an impact as he does for the Scarlets but he was solid enough and worked well with Ben Thomas
12. Ben Thomas 6
Crucial to Wales’ attacking game with his distribution helping Wales to to create overlaps. The Cardiff playmaker was quietly effective throughout as his passing game put others into space.
11. Josh Adams 7
Only lasted one half but that was his best Wales performance since before the 2023 World Cup. Huge work rate and as safe as houses under the high ball but also a threat with ball in hand.
Scored his 22nd try for Wales and hit a wicked angle to set up Kieran Hardy’s second.
10. Dan Edwards 7
An impressive first Wales start for the Ospreys playmaker. Edwards controlled the game well while his kicking was also on point.
Dovetailed well with Ben Thomas and claimed the decisive try which brought Wales’ losing run to an end.
9. Kieran Hardy 6
An outstanding first-half performance where he claimed two tries while his passing was crisp. But a few wayward kicks after the break put Wales under pressure and his loose pass to Dan Edwards cost Wales a try when Dylan Riley intercepted.
8. Aaron Wainwright 8
Carried well getting Wales over the gainline while his handling in the wide channels was also very good. The Dragons man finished the game as the top carrier with 17 while his footballing ability also came to the fore.
7. Josh Macleod 8 (Star man)
The Scarlets skipper put in a huge shift and was instrumental in ending Wales’ losing run.
Macleod put in 13 tackles with one crucial last ditch tackle on Michael Leitch in the first-half.
But he was selected for his work at the breakdown where he made four turnovers, including winning two crucial penalties late on to relieve pressure. The hero of the hour when Wales needed somebody to step up as they wobbled.
6. Alex Mann 6
Put in a big shift during the first-half putting in 10 tackles while he did a lot of unseen work.
But ideally he needs to make more than three carries. Conceded a penalty straight after half-time and was replaced by Taine Plumtree.
5. Teddy Williams 7
The Cardiff lock put in a big shift.
Williams finished the game as the joint second highest tackler with 13 while he got through a huge amount of unseen work. Ensured the lineout run smoothly for the most part.
4. Freddie Thomas 6
The Gloucester lock was another Wales forward who emptied the tank putting in 11 tackles. Thomas was excellent at the lineout and helped get Wales’ maul working well.
3. Archie Griffin 6
Solid enough in the scrums as Wales held the upper hand for the majority of the first-half and worked hard around the park.
Griffin carried well and put in five tackles.
2. Dewi Lake 7
It was another big shift from the Ospreys man who put in 13 tackles while he also carried hard.
Consistently got Wales over the gainline making 10 carries while the lineout went reasonably well.
Led from the front as always.
1. Nicky Smith 6
Scrummaged well during the first-half as Wales held the upper hand over the Japanese.
Put a decent shift on around the park making seven tackles before getting replaced early on in the second-half.
Replacements
16. Liam Belcher 6
The Cardiff man made a decent impact from the bench more often than not hitting his man at the lineout and carried well.
17. Gareth Thomas 6
Faced a tough challenge at the scrum against Japan’s replacement front-row but was more than up to the challenge.
18. Chris Coleman 6
Not a bad showing at all on his Test debut. Locked out the scrum well.
19. James Ratti 6
A real workhorse who helped get Wales over the line with his relentless workrate.
20. Taine Plumtree 7
The Scarlets star made the biggest impact of all Wales’ replacements.
Hurried back into his 22 to clear the ball when Wales were under pressure, carried well and hit hard in defence while it was his lovely flick pass which unlocked the Japan defence for Dan Edwards’ try.
21. Tommy Reffell 5
Didn’t have much time on the field.
22. Reuben Morgan-Williams 5
A Test debut for the Ospreys scrum-half but he wouldn’t have envisaged coming on in midfield after Johnny Williams limped off with an injury.
23. Keelan Giles 6
Looked lively whenever he had the ball and didn’t look out of place.
