JAPAN 22 – WALES 31
At long last, Wales have stopped the rot.
A gruelling 644-day wait for an international win came to an end in Kobe, as Matt Sherratt’s side held firm to edge past Japan and snap an 18-Test losing streak that had weighed heavily on the squad and the nation.
The victory wasn’t just symbolic—it was hard-earned, emphatic in spells, and delivered under intense pressure in sweltering conditions that had previously proved Wales’ undoing. The series now ends 1-1, but for Wales, this was about far more than evening the score. It was about pride, progress, and promise.
A breakthrough built on early ambition
Wales laid the foundations with a commanding first-half performance, storming to a 21-3 lead on the back of incisive attacking and renewed confidence. Scrum-half Kieran Hardy crossed twice, while wing Josh Adams—ever a reliable finisher—opened the scoring with a sharp try after an elegant passage of play orchestrated by Ben Thomas and Blair Murray.
Dan Edwards, making his full debut at fly-half, looked composed beyond his years and contributed 16 points, including a decisive late try that ultimately crushed Japanese hopes of a historic series win.
This was no cruise, however. Wales had to weather a spirited Japanese resurgence in the second half, as the Brave Blossoms mounted yet another comeback—echoing their late surge in Kitakyushu the previous weekend.
Tries from Shuhei Takeuchi, Warner Deans and Dylan Riley brought Japan to within two points, igniting the home crowd and forcing Wales to dig deep. But dig they did, responding with poise and steel as Edwards’ second-half score ensured the visitors finished the stronger side.
Sherratt signs off with redemption
The match marked the fifth and final game in charge for interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who stepped in after Warren Gatland’s departure earlier this year. As the final whistle blew, the emotion was unmistakable—shared visibly by captain Dewi Lake, who led with typical tenacity.
Sherratt’s short tenure ends with a win that Wales desperately needed—not just to avoid an unwanted record of 19 straight defeats (a dubious distinction that would have eclipsed France’s post-World War I slump), but to restore faith and momentum ahead of a new era.
With the Welsh Rugby Union set to unveil Gatland’s long-term successor in the coming weeks, they do so with the shackles of a losing streak removed.
A new generation steps up
This tour was never just about results—it was about discovering who’s ready to wear the red jersey with pride in the years ahead. And there were plenty of answers.
Aaron Wainwright was a relentless force in the first half, carrying strongly and playing a crucial role in the build-up to Hardy’s second try. Josh Macleod’s crucial turnover and Taine Plumtree’s slick handling late on highlighted the hunger in the wider squad.
Then there was Keelan Giles. After nearly a decade of near-misses and misfortune, the Ospreys wing finally earned his first cap—a poignant moment that spoke to the perseverance and depth within Welsh rugby.
Youngsters such as Freddie Thomas, Reuben Morgan-Williams (who also made his debut), and Chris Coleman added to the sense that Wales may finally be turning a corner, building something meaningful amid the rebuild.
Heat, humidity—and closure
The conditions were brutal. With temperatures exceeding 32°C and humidity peaking at 67%, World Rugby mandated extended breaks and hydration intervals. The Noevir Stadium’s closed roof turned the venue into a pressure cooker—something Wales had notably struggled with in the Kitakyushu opener, where fatigue visibly took hold.
Japan had looked to exploit those same conditions once more, resisting Welsh requests for a later kick-off. After last week’s victory, Brave Blossoms captain Michael Leitch pointed out Wales were “blowing” in the final quarter.
This time, it was the visitors who finished stronger, with scrum coach Adam Jones delivering a pointed post-match quip: “Hopefully Michael sees things a little differently now.”
Wales had prepared better, adapted smarter, and shown the resilience that’s been missing in recent months.
Final thoughts
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Wales came to Japan under pressure, missing experience and form, yet they’ve emerged with renewed direction, belief, and a long-awaited taste of success.
There is still work to do. But the tour ends with optimism, not just relief.
AloJapan.com