Wales crumble against Japan to make it 18 defeats in a row

Times

3 days ago

Wales still cannot win a rugby match. This incomprehensible defeat, having been 19-7 up at half-time, makes it 18 on the trot and this was probably the worst loss of the lot, given that this was a critically inexperienced Japanese side, with eight debutants in their 23, and with Wales having a much stronger side than one would normally expect during a British and Irish Lions tour, as only Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams were originally selected for that trip to Australia.
But the wait since that last victory, way back in the mists of time in October 2023, must go on and Wales have now slumped to 14th in the world. They truly are at a nadir, still having an interim head coach in Matt Sherratt and uncertainty still reigning back home, as talk of reducing the number of regions has not yet been quelled.
In truth this was a Test match of the very lowest quality, full of errors, the hardest of watches at times, with the inexperience and indecision of referee Damian Schneider not helping either.
It was blisteringly hot in Kitakyushu and Japan head coach Eddie Jones had said his side were going to run Wales off their feet, but instead the first half was a horrendously stop-start affair as it alone took an hour.
However, in the second half Jones' words came home to roost as Wales' unacceptable indiscipline allowed Japan to play the faster, loose game they wanted and Wales, so obviously not having a clue how to win when coming under pressure, could do little about it.
Without being too harsh on Japan, it would actually be a stretch to say that they played well, even if veteran captain Michael Leitch was a perpetual menace to any Welsh attacks. They simply preyed on Wales' mistakes and lack of confidence. They sniffed an upset and then took it triumphantly for their second ever win over Wales, to add to another under the Australian Jones in 2013.
There had been a harbinger as the day had not begun well for Wales: just 27 seconds had gone when lock Ben Carter was concussed in a tackle, resulting in a lengthy delay as both teams retreated to the shade at the side of the pitch, but thereafter Wales looked relatively sharp, with the enduring excellence of veteran No 8 Taulupe Faletau shining, and a first try was not long in coming, as Wales kicked a penalty to the corner and from the lineout Faletau peeled round to feed centre Ben Thomas, who crashed over.
Japan responded, though, with a superbly crafted, obviously well-rehearsed, try from full back Takuro Matsunaga after Wales' new centre pairing of Thomas and Johnny Williams was exposed defensively.
Matsunaga departed injured and his replacement, debutant Ichigo Nakakusa, immediately conceded a penalty try by deliberately slapping the ball from Josh Adams' grasp. That meant a yellow card for Nakakusa and a third Welsh try quickly followed, all too easily, for Tom Rogers, as the visitors took that 19-7 lead at half-time, although the home No 8 Amato Fakatava had also been held up over the line.
That interval was extended by five minutes to 20 because of the heat and it was Japan who scored first in the second half through lock Epineri Uluiviti but it was disallowed because of a knock on.
At last, however, Japan were able to go through some phase play and it was Nakakusa who eventually scored, with Seungsin Lee converting, so that it was 19-14 at the hour mark.
That galvanised Japan and set off Welsh worries. Suddenly there was a real zip about the Japanese play and replacement Ben Gunter crossed at the corner, but, again, there had been a forward pass. There was a penalty advantage being played, though, and Lee duly slotted the kick so that it was now 19-17.
Almost from nowhere this was getting nervy for Wales, who were not aided by Leitch being all over scrum-half Kieran Hardy. Wales could not find any possession or territory, and were conceding penalties at an alarming rate, and from one of them and a kick to the corner, replacement Halatoa Vailea went over from the driving maul. Lee converted and Japan led for the first time in the match at 24-19.
Wales had an opportunity inside Japan's 22 but the lineout, with Cardiff's Liam Belcher on for a belated debut at hooker, was lost. That summed up Wales' inaccuracy – their lineout had malfunctioned all afternoon- and there was no way back. What mess Welsh rugby is in.
Scorers: Wales: Tries Thomas (3min), penalty try (20), Rogers (21) Con Costelow
Japan Tries Matsunaga (15), Nakakusa (58), Vailea (70) Cons Lee (2) Pen Lee (64)
Wales B Murray; T Rogers, J Williams (R Williams 68), , B Thomas, J Adams; S Costelow, K Hardy; N Smith (G Thomas 50), D Lake (L Belcher 68), K Assiratti (A Griffin 50), B Carter (J Ratti 1), T Williams, A Mann, J Macleod (T Reffell 57), T Faletau (A Wainwright 57).