Japan rally to beat Wales 24-19 in heat-soaked Kitakyushu

In a gripping encounter under scorching summer heat in Kitakyushu, Japan staged a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Wales 24-19 in the first Test of their two-match series.

The Brave Blossoms, trailing by twelve points at the break, displayed impressive resilience and composure to overturn the deficit, handing Wales their eighteenth consecutive Test defeat.

The match began on a somber note when Welsh lock Ben Carter was stretchered off just seconds after kickoff with a suspected head injury.

Despite the early setback, Wales started with precision. In the 4th minute, a penalty gave them field position, and a clean scrum platform allowed No.8 Taulupe Faletau to surge forward and create space for Ben Thomas to power over. Fly-half Sam Costelow converted to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Japan, eager to strike back, did so in the 16th minute. Debutant Kippei Ishida initiated a fluid backline movement that ended with Takuro Matsunaga diving into the left-hand corner. Lee Seungsin added the extras, leveling the match at 7-7.

The turning point of the first half came in the 20th minute, when Japanese fullback Ichigo Nakakusu was penalized for illegally slapping the ball out of Josh Adams’ grasp in the in-goal area.

A penalty try was awarded, and Nakakusu was sent to the bin, giving Wales a 14-7 lead.

The visitors took full advantage of the extra man. Just two minutes later, Tom Rogers finished a clinical move down the left wing following another break from Faletau.

Costelow’s second conversion took the score to 19-7, where it stayed until halftime. Wales had dominated the first 40 minutes in both possession and territory, but the second half would tell a completely different story.

The hosts returned from the break with renewed energy, and began to claw their way back into the contest. In the 59th minute, Nakakusu made up for his earlier error by scoring a try after brushing off two Welsh defenders. Lee converted again, bringing the score to 19-14.

Momentum had clearly shifted. In the 64th minute, Lee slotted a penalty from just inside the 22 to narrow the gap to 19-17. Wales were beginning to unravel, making poor decisions at the lineout and failing to maintain discipline at the breakdown.

The defining moment came in the 70th minute. After earning a penalty deep in Welsh territory, Japan kicked for the corner and set up a powerful lineout maul. From the resulting drive, replacement forward Halatoa Vailea crashed over the line for Japan’s third try. Lee’s conversion from the touchline gave Japan a 24-19 lead — their first of the match.

Wales pushed hard in the final ten minutes, but their efforts were consistently undone by unforced errors and an organized Japanese defence. A critical knock-on in the final play sealed their fate, as the hosts erupted in celebration of a historic win.

The result continues a worrying pattern for Wales, who have now lost 18 consecutive Tests, a streak that has spanned nearly two years.