- Wales finally ended their 18-Test losing run with victory over Japan in Kobe
- Prior to Saturday’s win, it had been 644 days since Wales last had success
- Downing Eddie Jones’ side provides some confidence going into the autumn
Wales’ first win in 644 days ended a horror run of 18 straight Test losses and gave their next permanent coach a fighting chance of success at the 2027 World Cup.
At last, the long, long wait is over for Welsh fans. It has been a more-than-painful two years with defeat after defeat combined with all manner of off-field problems.
But this victory over Japan not only meant Wales shared their series with Eddie Jones’ side 1-1, but also ended their season on a positive note.
A much-needed win also took Wales back into the top 12 of World Rugby’s rankings. The team must stay there by the end of the autumn, otherwise the result will be a tough draw for the next World Cup.
Wales hope to have a new coach in charge for their November matches.
The reaction of interim Wales boss Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake at the final whistle was one of pure relief.
Wales finally ended their 18-Test losing run with a much-needed win over Japan in Kobe
Wales’ players celebrate at the end of their game following their first win in 644 days
Wing Josh Adams opened the scoring for Wales as they got the better of Eddie Jones’ Japan
‘I’m over the moon. It’s been a long time coming. To dig in and get the job done is an amazing feeling,’ said Lake.
‘The confidence this win will breed in this group will hopefully be huge going forward.’
Sherratt added: ‘The most emotional thing for me was when the whistle went, seeing the players and support staff get the win. It’s why I did the job.
‘For Welsh rugby, this has got to be the start of something.’
Temperatures in Kobe were sweltering once again, heady temperatures and a closed roof creating essentially a big greenhouse in which to play.
Wales’ first half was impressive. They scored three nice tries. Their first came on the counter, Alex Mann stealing possession. Wales’ backs then moved quickly, Ben Thomas and Blair Murray combining to send Josh Adams over.
At the midway point of the first half, the players took a drinks break with some Welshmen wearing frozen hats to keep cool. Adams looked certain to score a second from a kick through, but couldn’t collect.
There was still time before the break for a quick double from Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy.
Scrum-half Kieran Hardy scored twice in the first half as Wales crossed for four tries in total
Young No 10 Dan Edwards had an impressive game and came up with Wales’ match winner
Sherratt’s side had played well. But Japan, who had gone down to 14 with Faulua Makisi yellow carded after Hardy’s first, weren’t totally out of the contest at the break thanks to a try from Shuhei Takeuchi.
Dan Edwards had converted all three of Wales’ tries and his penalty extended his team’s lead when the game resumed. In the first Test, Wales lost again as they struggled in the final quarter with the heat playing a factor.
On the hour, it started to happen again. First, Warner Dearns crossed for Japan with a controversial score as he looked to be short of the line.
Then, Edwards dropped a pass and Dylan Riley raced clear. All of a sudden, Wales’ lead had been cut to two. You sensed history would repeat itself.
But Wales’ young players deserve credit for fighting back against the current.
Aaron Wainwright was a standout figure for Wales as they did enough to come away with a win
Taine Plumtree had a big impact from the bench, while Murray and Aaron Wainwright were standout figures.
And when the excellent Edwards dived over and converted his own try, Wales could finally celebrate. It had been far too long since they had last done so.
‘As a group, we’ve performed. The aim throughout this camp has been to get that win,’ Edwards said.
‘We knew it was 18 successive defeats but this is a young group and there’s a lot more to come from us. It was amazing to score. I’m just so glad we won.’
