Japan hit back to stun Wales in first Test
Japan (7) 24
Tries: Matsunaga, Nakakusu, Vailea Cons: Lee 3 Pens: Lee
Wales (19) 19
Tries: Thomas, penalty try, Rogers Cons: Costelow
Japan stunned Wales in Kitakyushu with a first-Test fightback that condemned the visitors to an 18th successive defeat.
Advertisement
The tourists led 19-7 at the break, but wilted in the extremely hot and humid conditions in a match that took two hours to complete.
Japan scored all the second-half points with Halatoa Vailea crashing over from a close-range line-out in the 71st-minute to claim the win for Eddie Jones' side.
After losing lock Ben Carter to injury after only 24 seconds, Wales took the initiative through tries from from Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers and a penalty try, but Wales faded badly in the searing heat.
Japan, inspired by 36-year-old captain Michael Leitch, claimed victory through tries from Takuro Matsunga, Ichigo Nakakusu and Vailea with nine points from the boot of Seungsin Lee.
Advertisement
It was a second victory for Japan against Wales with head coach Jones also masterminding the first in 2013.
The defeat means Wales have fallen to a new low and they are now without a Test win in 21 months and have slipped two places to an all-time low of 14th in the world rankings, below Japan and Samoa.
Matt Sherratt's side face Japan again in Kobe on Saturday, 12 July.
Feeling the heat
The game lasted more than two hours because of the extreme conditions.
It kicked off at 14:00 local time and with temperatures reaching 34C with a very high humidity reading, the players were given a three-minute water break in the middle of each half, while the interval was extended from 15 to 20 minutes.
Advertisement
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had enquired about delaying the kick-off until later in the day so conditions would be cooler, but Japan wanted to play at this time.
Home coach Jones had said whoever dealt with the conditions better would win and that he hoped for a hot day because the hosts would try to "run Wales off their feet".
The water break and extended half-time measures are being taken under World Rugby's updated heat and air quality guidelines, to support players playing in hot conditions.
The half-time extension was applied because conditions were deemed the second-most severe reading, with the next step being to consider "delaying or suspending the game".
Advertisement
That never materialised, but the excruciating conditions played a part in the length and quality of the contest.
Wales had spent three weeks preparing at home and in Japan for the conditions, but struggled in the second half.
No Wales home from home in 2025
Kitakyushu had been Wales' training base for the 2019 World Cup with the local population taking Warren Gatland's squad to its heart.
More than 15,000 locals had crammed into the stadium just to watch Wales train before the home supporters launched into a rendition of the nation anthem.
Six years later there was again a capacity crowd this time to watch what was only the second rugby international to be staged at the venue.
Advertisement
Cardiff coach Sherratt was again in caretaker charge after he had been brought into lead Wales for the final three Six Nations games after Gatland's departure in February.
He made 11 changes to the side that lost 68-14 to England in Cardiff with flankers Josh Macleod and Alex Mann, lock Teddy Williams scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams rewarded for strong domestic form.
Wings Adams and Rogers, fly-half Sam Costelow and Carter returned after being injured.
Early disruption for Wales
Carter, who missed the 2024 autumn internationals and 2025 Six Nations because of injury, lasted only 24 seconds on his international return.
Advertisement
He was injured while making a tackle and after a lengthy stoppage, was taken off on a stretcher. James Ratti came on in his place, with both sides having to regroup.
Wales responded with a well-worked move that allowed Taulupe Faletau to provide a simple try-scoring pass to Thomas with Costelow converting.
Some more incisive attacking saw Adams burst down the left-hand side with his inside grubber kick almost finding scrum-half Hardy.
Wales had the early upper hand in the scrum, but their line-out was struggling and Japan capitalised on their first opportunity with a well-worked try for full-back Matsunga.
Advertisement
Scarlets midfield man Williams, who was back in Test rugby after an absence of almost two years, formed an eighth different Wales centre partnership in nine games this season.
Williams is more used to playing at inside centre but his defensive inexperience in the wider channel was exposed as Japan produced a fine attacking move, involving new cap Kippei Ishida before Matsunaga crossed.
Lee converted and it was 7-7 at the first water break after 20 minutes where Wales players used ice hats and towels to cool themselves.
Wales rallied and a clever kick from Hardy resulted in replacement wing Ichigo Nakakusu slapping the ball deliberately out of play to deny Adams a try-scoring opportunity and resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card.
Advertisement
Wales took advantage of their extra man after another fine Faletau break released the backs and wing Rogers scored in the corner.
The hosts responded with number eight Amato Fakatava denied by a last-ditch tackle by Ben Thomas.
The 40-minute first half lasted more than an hour with all the stoppages but Wales led by 12 points as both sets of players almost staggered off the field.
Either side of half-time Lake, Nicky Smith and Macleod, who was playing his first Test match in two-and-a-half years, gained valuable turnover penalties.
Japan's final flourish
Sherratt had stated the importance of his 23-man selection as he introduced experienced replacement forwards Gareth Thomas, Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright compared to six uncapped Japan players on the hosts' bench.
Advertisement
But after the second-half water break, it was a Japan replacement in Nakakusu, who crossed after fine work from the home forwards, with captain Leitch at the forefront of the comeback.
Lee converted and slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit to two points, although Japan could have taken the lead if a try for Ben Gunter was not ruled out for a forward pass from Cornelsen.
Cardiff captain Liam Belcher came on for his international debut when he replaced Lake, but Japan were preying on Wales' indiscipline, poor line-out and general fatigue.
Japan took the lead for the first time through a try from Vailea with Lee again converting.
Advertisement
That was the final, decisive score with Japanese players sinking to their knees after the final whistle as they celebrated a famous victory, while Wales' squad were left shattered mentally and physically.
Japan: Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava.
Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea.
Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau.
Advertisement
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.
Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) & Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official (TMO): Ian Tempest (England).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
26 minutes ago
- New York Times
Women's Open 2025: Charley Hull, Megan Khang join the chase after leader Miyu Yamashita
PORTHCAWL, Wales – As Miyu Yamashita came off a sun-soaked 18th green, where she had just missed one final chance for birdie, the Japanese golfer was presented with a birthday card and a cake. After giving interviews in the mixed zone, she posed for pictures in front of the assembled press on her 24th birthday. There was a bright smile after a testing Saturday on the never-not blustery course at Royal Porthcawl for the third round of the AIG Women's Open. Advertisement Yamashita, a LPGA rookie after standout seasons on the LPGA of Japan Tour, went out on Saturday 11-under-par and came back 9-under. She could hold on to the fact that on a day when everything that could go wrong did, she is still in the lead — though by not nearly as much as she was going into the weekend. A Lim Kim of South Korea shot a 67 to get to 8-under-par after 54 holes, just one shot back. The 29-year-old was one of what felt like a growing group of hungry golfers hitting their form at the right time. Kim has a history of that, of course. In 2020, she came from behind to win the U.S. Women's Open. She had started the final round in ninth place, birdied the last three holes to shoot 67 and take home the silverware on what was her first start at a major tournament. Kim is the only player within four shots of Yamashita who has previously won a major. Yamashita, who dreams of joining the list of major winners, would be a deserved addition should the trophy come her way on Sunday night. She was the first to go bogey-free on Friday when getting back into the clubhouse in only 65 shots. On Saturday, things were different — she bogeyed Nos. 5, 10, 14 and 16. Two birdies helped even out her scorecard and there were some excellent par saves too. A long putt on the 17th, which dropped in after a shot out of the bunker ran a little too fast and past the cup could be viewed as one of the most important shots of the tournament should she win Sunday. She's not backing down! What a moment for Miyu Yamashita to maintain her lead 👏 — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 2, 2025 Even for the cake, card and pink paper hat she wore briefly, Yamashita's birthday celebrations are on hold. Her New Zealander caddie John Bennett carried her clubs right through to the practice area. 'Tonight I'll be looking at what went wrong and what went right,' Yamashita said. 'And analysing the day to make the improvements that hopefully will lead to a better round tomorrow.' Advertisement A better round will be whatever it takes to stay in the lead and claim a first major title. As for compatriot and close friend Rio Takeda, who Yamashita was paired with on the first three days, she also found the Welsh winds testing. 'The wind definitely made today's conditions very difficult so it was pretty hard to adjust,' Takeda, 22, said. 'Tonight will be no different to my usual routine, I will get my game ready in the same way and make sure I am well prepared for tomorrow.' That preparation had already started with putting practice in the short game area straight after media duties. Takeda, who hit identical shots to Yamashita on the approach to holes five and seven, also shot a 74. That dropped her into a tie for fourth at 6 under, along with fellow Japanese golfer Minami Katsu, who succeeded where others struggled when going from 1-over-par to 6-under-par in just over four hours. In ahead of them both is American Andrea Lee, a former amateur world No. 1. Lee had a positive run along Rest Bay, hitting 67 to go 7-under-par and into third place. Fellow American, Megan Khang, added her name to fourth on the leaderboard after making an impressive six birdies. British golfer Charley Hull is also tied for fourth. She started the day at level-par and hit her first shot of Saturday's round directly into a bunker. After escaping there to stay even, seven birdies followed in a barnstorming, crowd-pleasing rush which pulled Hull into contention. There was a moment when Hull, on the rise, walked to the 17th putting green, passing Yamashita and Takeda on the opposite fairway as they followed their tee shots on No. 3. Yamashita and Takeda didn't see Hull but they will have heard the noise when she and others made big shots. The wind did not just carry the kite surfers out into the Bristol Channel with its seagulls, it carried the cheers for birdies too. Yamashita did her best to block it out. It is not personal, you can see that in the way the athletes embrace each other at the end of each match, but they all want what she herself does not yet have. 'I just kind of enjoy chasing. It's quite fun. I like it. It's more fun that way,' Hull, also awaiting her first major win, said. 'I like hunting someone down.' The six players within three shots of the leader know if they can ride out the rain and pressure, they have a big opportunity to do something incredible. 'Tomorrow I'll be focused on one shot at a time,' Yamashita smiled. 'That's how I'll play my best golf.' Come Sunday night she wants to be putting last and placing first. It will taste a lot sweeter than her vanilla-icing birthday cake. (Top photo of Charley Hull: Luke Walker / Getty Images)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Notable golfers who missed the cut at Women's British Open include the first-round leader
The afternoon wave got the brunt of the Welsh wind on Friday as scores soared. The cut line, which started at even, moved to 2 over as the day progressed at the 49th AIG Women's British Open. Billed as the largest women's sporting event ever stages in Wales, fans will miss out on seeing a number of big names this weekend in the LPGA's fifth and final major of the season. A total of 71 players made the cut. Who missed the cut at the AIG Women's British Open? Here's a list of notables and past champions who won't play the weekend at Porthcawl. Brooke Henderson, 3 over (147) A short miss on the 17th will likely linger with Brooke Henderson, who also failed to pick up a birdie on the closing par 5. An inward 40 put her at 76 for Friday's second round and a 3 over total. Henderson missed the cut in two majors this season and failed to finish in the top 30 in any of them. Eri Okayama, 4 over (148) It's not often that a Round 1 leader goes on to miss the cut a major, but the JLPGA veteran heads home after a disastrous 81 on Friday. After opening the championship with a 67, Okayama said she was surprised by her position given how much she has struggled with a back injury of late and was limited in her practice. Ingrid Lindblad, 5 over (149) Swedish rookie Ingrid Lindblad was inside the top 30 going into the 11th hole and then the bottom fell out. A shocking 10 reduced Lindblad to tears on the green, according to the R&A radio. The 7-over 79 put Lindblad at 5 over for the tournament, three shots out of the cut line. Jennifer Kupcho, 6 over (150) Back-to-back 75s led to an early exit for Jennifer Kupcho, who won earlier this season at the ShopRite LPGA Classic for her fourth career title. Kupcho hadn't finished outside the top 25 until since then until this week. Kupcho hit only 12 fairways for the week. Ruoning Yin, 7 over (151) The world No. 4 struggled in her third Women's British appearance. After a share of second last year at the Old Course, Yin missed the cut by a mile in Wales. She hit only six fairways in a second-round 77. After a runner-up and share of fourth in the first two majors, she missed the weekend in the last two. Lilia Vu, 7 over (151) Only two years ago, Lilia vu won two majors. Now she's struggling to make a cut. A second-round 77 for Vu gave her a fourth consecutive missed cut at the majors this season. After winning the AIG in 2023, she finished runner-up last year at the Old Course. Jin Young Ko, 7 over (151) An opening 78 was too much to overcome for the former No. 1 Jin Young Ko. Though she has a runner-up and a third in this championship, she's also missed the cut four times in seven starts. Maja Stark, 8 over (152) It's been a rough stretch for Maja Stark since winning the U.S. Women's Open. The Swede missed her third consecutive cut this week at the AIG. She has played the weekend only once since becoming a major winner, and that was the KPMG Women's PGA, where she broke her putter during the final round. Yealimi Noh, 11 over (155) The American broke through with her first LPGA title earlier this year at the Founders Cup. Noh carded only one birdie over the course of two rounds at Porthcawl and had four doubles. That's three consecutive missed cuts for Noh, but there was a huge highlight: She was recently engaged. Hannah Green, 12 over (156) For as much success as Green has had in recent years on the LPGA, it hasn't come at the majors. The 2019 KPMG Women's PGA winner hasn't had a top 10 in a major since 2022. After three top 10s to start the season, it's been an uphill fight for the Aussie since then. Green made two triples at Porthcawl, where she struggled off the tee. Sophia Popov, 20 over (162) The Cinderella from the 2020 AIG Women's British Open has yet to make a cut in the championship since that magical run. Of course, much has happened since then, with Popov now a mom trying to balance it all. Popov carded back-to-back rounds of 82 to finish last. Past champions of the British Open are exempt until the age of 55. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Women's British Open: Who missed the cut at Royal Porthcawl?
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
AIG Women's British Open third round recap: After Miyu Yamashita stumbles, it's wide open
With 54 holes in the books, Miyu Yamashita holds on to a one shot lead at the 2025 AIG Women's British Open. While she might still have the outright lead, Yamashita faced her fair share of struggles in Saturday's third round, and now a congested leaderboard promises a dramatic and exciting finish Sunday at Royal Porthcawl. Read below for a recap, scores, highlights and more from the third round of the 2025 AIG Women's British Open. AIG Women's British Open leaderboard Keep tabs on every score being carded at Royal Porthcawl with the 2025 AIG Women's Open leaderboard from USATODAY sports. Here's what it looked like at the top after Saturday's third round: POS PLAYER SCORE 1 M. Yamashita -9 2 A. Lim Kim -8 3 A. Lee -7 T4 M. Katsu -6 T4 C. Hull -6 T4 M. Khang -6 T4 R. Takeda -6 Miyu Yamashita's troubles bunch up the board at Women's British Open What looked like a two-player race cracked wide open for the final round of major championship golf in 2025. NBC booth analyst Morgan Pressel summed it up best as Japan's Miyu Yamashita limped home at Royal Porthcawl: "Almost everything has gone wrong for Miyu Yamashita, and she's still in the lead." The straight player with the sweet short game suddenly turned crooked and her putter went ice cold, taking 34 putts. Yamashita's overnight three-stroke lead over compatriot and friend Rio Takeda slimmed down to one – over South Korea's A Lim Kim, the only player in the top 7 who has won a major. Of course, it's worth noting that while Yamashita has yet to win on the LPGA, she's a 13-time winner on the JLPGA, including three majors on that tour. "Today I'll be just looking at what went wrong and what went right," said Yamashita, "and analyzing the day and make the improvements that hopefully will lead to a better round tomorrow." Yamashita and Takeda, playing together for a third straight day, both shot 2-over 74 in challenging afternoon conditions. For a player celebrating her 24th birthday, there wasn't a whole lot to clap about as she dropped down to 9 under for the tournament. Kim's bogey-free 67 sets her up for a second title this year. Incredibly, there have been no repeat winners on tour this season, a record for this time of year. Kim burst onto the scene internationally when she stormed from behind to win the 2020 U.S. Women's Open, held in December, with three straight birdies down the stretch at Champions Golf Club in Houston. "Honestly, I'm not focused on the leader," said Kim. "I focus on my process and my shot and then my position." While Kim is a power player, American Andrea Lee, like Yamashita, plays a game of precision. She's two back at 7 under and in search of the first big title of her career. The former Stanford star needed only 25 putts in the third round. "I think Evian was probably my best ball-striking week of the year," said Lee who finished fifth in France, "and so I gained a lot of confidence from that." Four players trail by three in a share of fourth, including English star Charley Hull, who delighted crowds early on with a 66. Hull's close friend Georgia Hall, the 2018 British Open champion, is five back. The always entertaining Hull noted that she loves a good chase. "Kind of like playing golf with your mates," said Hull. "You just want to make birdies on every hole. That's how it feels tomorrow." Charley Hull leads strong force of of English players With seven birdies in her first 13 holes, Charley Hull lit up crowds early Saturday during the third round of the 2025 AIG Women's British Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. The round started off with a bit of an "oops" moment, however, when Hull hit a wayward tee shot off the fourth that almost hit Minjee Lee as Lee prepared to tee off the 17th. "Nearly took Minjee out," said Dame Laura Davies from the booth. Hull went on to par the hole and then rattled off three consecutive birdies to ultimately shoot 66. It's been quite a run for English players, with Georgia Hall sitting in a share of eighth at 4 under after a 68 and Mimi Rhodes T-11 at 3 under alongside compatriot Lottie Woad, who shot 71 on Saturday. A Lim Kim the only major champion on the board at AIG "It being so close to home, yeah, I've had so much family out here supporting and cheering for me," said Rhodes. "Honestly, it's just been better than a dream come true." South Korea's A Lim Kim sits at 5 under through 15 holes and in a share of second at 8 under with Rio Takeda. Kim, who plays more of a power game compared the petite leader Miyu Yamashita, burst onto the national scene when she won the 2020 U.S. Women's Open in Houston. Now a three-time winner on the LPGA, Kim won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Florida to start to the season. She has yet to make a bogey today. Lottie Woad makes it through No. 16 unscathed at Porthcawl One day after a triple-bogey seven on the 16th essentially derailed Lottie Woad's championship hopes, Woad poured in a par save on the demanding par 4 to stay at 2 under for the week. After a bogey on the first hole, Woad has one birdie and 14 pars to remain in the top 20 in her second event as a pro. Final pairing loses ground on front nine at Women's British Japanese stars Miya Yamashita and Rio Takeda began the day firmly in control but have slipped back after finishing the front nine 1 over par. Yamashita didn't card a single birdie on the front nine while Takeda managed only one. Yamashita now leads American Andrea Lee by two strokes while major champ A Lim Kim and Takeda are three back. Three amateurs vie for Smyth Salver honors at British Open Three amateurs made the cut this week at Royal Porthcawl, and two of them were paired together on Saturday, with Paula Martin Sampedro and Jeneath Wong playing alongside each other while Carla Bernat, known as Carla Bernat Escuder prior to this week, was just a few groups back. Spain's Martin Sampedro carded five birdies in a 2-under 70 on Saturday to take a three-shot lead in the amateur race, moving to even par for the championship. A 73 from Bernat, the Augusta National Women's Amateur champion, moved her to 3 over for the week while Wong's 77 put her at 7 over for the tournament. Andrea Lee rockets up the board and within two at British Open American Andrea Lee turns up the heat with four consecutive birdies to get to 8 under and in solo second. Six under on the day through 12 holes, Lee now trails Miyu Yamashita by two shots. Lee has a consistent Women's British record, finishing outside the top 25 only once in five pervious appearances. Meanwhile Japan's Minami Katsu rocketed 32 spots up the board after a 7-under 65 that included bogeys on two of the first three holes. Katsu carded seven birdies and an eagle over the last 15 holes. Now 27 years old, Katsu became the youngest winner in JLPGA history when she captured the 2014 KKT Cup Vantelin Open at age 15. She has eight victories on the JLPGA. Miyu Yamashita still in command at Women's British Overnight leader Miyu Yamashita picked up where she left off, carding several stress-free pars on the first three holes to stay at 11 under, though her lead has now grown to four over compatriot Rio Takeda. It's a comfortable pairing for the decorated Japanese players, who teamed up together at the Dow Championship earlier this year. Another birdie for English star Charley Hull at Women's British Make it six birdies for Charley Hull in 12 holes at Royal Porthcawl as the crowds begin to swell around the English star. Hull, who has been quite vocal about the fact that she's not a big fan of links golf, had a health scare at the Amundi Evian Championship last month when she was carted off the golf course on a stretcher. While recovering from a virus, she then tweaked her back getting something out of her car. On Saturday in Wales, it all seems to be in the rear view. She's currently 5 back. Major winners making waves in Wales Minjee Lee vaulted up the board with a 4-under 68, putting the three-time major winner into the top 20. She's now 2 under for the championship. Frenchwoman Celine Boutier shot 69 on Saturday to get to 1 under. LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko just wrapped up a 70 to get to even par. Charley Hull among early movers at Women's British Open It's another hour before the leaders tee off, and Charley Hull is making a move. The English star has birdied four of the first eight holes at Royal Porthcawl to move up to 4 under for the championship and into a share of third with China's Yan Liu, who birdied the first two holes. Another English star, Lottie Woad, has hit the fairway on the opening hole. Where to watch, follow the 2025 Women's British Open In addition to the options listed below, the R&A will live stream coverage and have R&A radio all four days as well. Third round, Saturday, Aug. 2 7 a.m. ET-12 p.m. ET, USA 12 p.m. ET -2 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock 7 a.m. ET -2 p.m. ET, NBC Sports App When do the leaders start their third round? The last five twosomes to hit the first tee on Saturday will be: 8:55 a.m. ET: Casandra Alexander, Sei Young Kim 9:05 a.m. ET: Madelene Sagstrom, A Lim Kim 9:15 a.m. ET: Laura Fuenfstueck, Chiara Tamburlini 9:25 a.m. ET: Pajaree Anannarukarn, Lindy Duncan 9:35 a.m. ET: Rio Takeda, Miyu Yamashita Which big names missed the cut at the Women's British Open? The first-round leader was one of the golfers to not make the weekend. Other notables to miss the cut include a rookie sensation who took a 10 on one hole and as well as several major champions. What is the prize money for the 2025 Women's British Open? The total purse at the AIG is $9.5 million with the winner taking home $1.425 million. That first-place money compares to the $1.2 million Grace Kim won at the Amundi Evian Championship, the $1.8 million Minjee Lee won at the KPMG Women's PGA, the $2.4 million Maja Stark won at the U.S. Open and the $1.2 million that Mao Saigo won at the Chevron Championship. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: AIG Women's British Open 2025: Miyu Yamashita leads by one after 54 holes
