Wales end losing streak with 31-22 win over Japan in Sapporo

Japan 22-31 Wales, Noevir Stadium

Wales brought an end to their 18-match losing streak with a hard-fought 31-22 victory over Japan at Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Saturday.

In a match that tested both composure and conditioning, Wales raced to an early lead, weathered a fierce second-half fightback from Japan, and finally sealed the win with a late try to secure their first victory since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Wales began brightly, asserting control within the opening ten minutes. A slick move from midfield opened space out wide, and Josh Adams capitalised, scoring the first try of the match in the 9th minute. Just minutes later, Kieran Hardy added another from the base of a rolling maul.

Hardy struck again in the 35th minute, this time supporting a clean line break from Adams to finish under the posts. Dan Edwards converted all three first-half tries, giving Wales a commanding 21-3 lead.

Japan managed to strike back just before the break. After winning a penalty and kicking to the corner, a well-constructed lineout drive allowed Shuhei Takeuchi to power over for the hosts. With the conversion added, the halftime score stood at 21-10 in Wales' favour.

Wales extended their lead shortly after the restart when Dan Edwards slotted a penalty in the 49th minute to make it 24-10, but Japan were far from done. A wave of pressure led to two quick tries that changed the complexion of the match.

In the 59th minute, second-rower Warner Dearns crashed over after a powerful surge through midfield. Just three minutes later, centre Dylan Riley finished off a sweeping backline move, narrowing the gap to 24-22. The momentum was now firmly with Japan, and the Welsh defence was suddenly under immense pressure.

But Wales responded with resolve. With just five minutes to play, replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams sparked a decisive break. A sharp offload found Dan Edwards, who raced in for Wales' fourth try. He converted his own score to take the match beyond Japan’s reach at 31-22.

Japan XV: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi.

Reserves: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda.

Wales XV: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright.

Reserves: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.