Leitch ranks win against Wales as best of career
Japan captain Michael Leitch says the first Test 24-19 win in Kitakyushu is the number one victory in his career.Eddie Jones's Japan extended Wales's record losing streak to 18 internationals, thanks to a second-half fightback when the hosts scored 17 unanswered points.Leitch, 36, has won 88 caps and been involved in famous World Cup victories against South Africa in 2015 in Brighton and on home soil against Scotland four years later, which was Japan's previous victory against a tier one nation.But when asked where Saturday's win ranked in his career, Leitch replied: "It's number one."When you look at Japan and Wales, we are rebuilding at the same pace and a lot of experienced players have left. "For such a young team to get a big win against a classy tier one nation like Wales, it gives us a lot of confidence, so we are happy with the result."
Japan aim to create history
Jones warned Wales they will face an improved Japan side next Saturday in Kobe for the second and final match of the series.Japan's victory lifted them above Wales to 12th in the world rankings with the tourists dropping to a record low of 14th.Leitch says his side are looking to create a first for Japanese rugby by clinching the series 2-0."To win back-to-back for Japan has not been done before so it's a chance to create some new history," said Jones."We will be up against a fiery Welsh side who are coming off the back of a loss against Japan."We will be up for it and it is back to the tools on Monday."Wales buckled in the second half under the extreme heat and humidity, although interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake refused to blame the conditions.Leitch believed they played a factor as Wales scored no points after half-time."Japan heat is no joke, I saw their guys out there second half and they were blowing," said Leitch."We knew if we could keep the tempo up and hold the position, that would get them in the end and it was part of our game plan."I was looking at the guys in the red jerseys and they were feeling it more than us and that was good to see on our part."Jones said before the match whoever dealt with the conditions better would win the game and Leitch believes his assessment was correct."Preparation going into this game was key to our success," said Leitch."We trained hard as a team and Eddie Jones gave us a really good training camp."
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