Wales player ratings vs Japan as far too many crumble in second-half capitulation
Wales fell to yet another Test defeat in scorching conditions in Kitakyushu
Wales players react after allowing Japan their third try
(Image: Masterpress/Getty Images )
Wales' losing run at Test level stretched to 18 matches as they collapsed in the heat against Japan in Kitakyushu.
In difficult conditions that probably didn't translate on the TV, Wales crumbled as they failed to score in the second half.
Here's how the players rated...
Blair Murray - 6
Little chance with ball in hand, but when he first got one, he beat two men in a phone box. Few other moments of fleet-footedness, but not a game made for the full-back.
Tom Rogers - 5
Article continues below
Took his try well. Good in the air. Will be disappointed to have fallen off the tackle for Japan's second.
Johnny Williams - 4
First start for Wales in the 13 jersey after nearly two years away from Test rugby. Caught narrow too often, including for both Japan tries.
Ben Thomas - 5
Nice line for the opening score. Kicking game worked in the first half to keep Wales' tackles down, but maybe became a bit of a crutch as the match went on.
Josh Adams - 6
First touch saw him cut back inside to space for a half-break. The sort of opportunities that haven't been coming his way at Test level for a while. Strong under the high ball too.
Sam Costelow - 4
Tends to be a player who attracts a lot of criticism, as most Welsh 10s do. Was solid for the most part, but Wales clearly relied too heavily on the boot in these conditions.
Kieran Hardy - 5
Smart kick over the top for the penalty try, while some other kicks were on the money. Became over-reliant on the boot and was a little loose around the edges of the breakdown.
Nicky Smith - 5
Mixed day at the scrum. Wales were on top early on, but Japan seemed to grow in that area of the game. Important breakdown penalty just before he was replaced after 50 minutes.
Dewi Lake - 6
Couple of early lineouts narrowly evaded their target, but that was more to do with greasy ball than bad throw. The captain largely fixed that, chucked himself into everything and carried well when asked.
One breakdown penalty in particular felt like a level above most things in this match, in terms of quality.
Keiron Assiratti - 4
Few issues at the scrum after a strong start.
Ben Carter - N/A
After waiting a year to pull on the Welsh jersey again, it's such a shame his return to Test rugby lasted just seconds. The main priority is that the injury hopefully isn't too serious.
Teddy Williams - 5
Got around the park well. Not too much else to say.
Alex Mann - 5
Tackled everything to begin with. Penalties crept up as he was asked to go the full 80. Emptied the tank though in a losing effort
Josh Macleod - 5
Waited a long time for this. Tackled like a man who has been eager for a Test recall for three years. Some good breakdown work, including one penalty late in the first half.
Perhaps a bit overeager at times in the second-half, with one offload nearly gifting Japan a try.
Taulupe Faletau - 7
Deft pass at the line for the opener. What you expect from Faletau. Also made Rogers' score. Some lovely handling skills when others were struggling with the bar of soap. Still so classy.
The few moments of genuine quality tended to involve him. Hopefully the knock he took before coming off isn't too serious.
Replacements
Liam Belcher - 4
Made his Wales debut with 12 minutes to go and the game still in the balance. Immediately found himself behind on the scoreboard. Arrows off target, unfortunately.
Gareth Thomas - 4
Scrum continued to struggle when he came on.
Archie Griffin - 4
Was sent skywards in one scrum.
James Ratti - 5
Thrust into the game much earlier than expected. Solid enough.
Aaron Wainwright - 5
Brought energy, but little chance to make an impact.
Tommy Reffell - 5
No real sniffs at the breakdown as Japan finished the stronger side.
Rhodri Williams - N/A
Didn't get on.
Joe Roberts - 5
Article continues below
Some decent cover tackles as the game got loose, but no time to impress.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
36 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Former captain Jayne Ludlow says Wales is ready to reap rewards from Euros debut
Ludlow, who represented Cymru 61 times before coaching the side for seven years, has helped the growth of the women's game in her home country. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... She is now excited for Wales to earn the benefits of having their women's team play at a major tournament with their first match against the Netherlands on Saturday. 'In Wales, we are little bit late to the party, in female sport in general not just in football,' she said. 'If you compared to our neighbours, 10 years ago England were ploughing a lot of resources into the women's game and supporting it in a different manner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'They are a bigger nation, but you can say the same about Scotland, you can say the same for Ireland and Northern Ireland. Former Wales captain Jayne Ludlow 'We have been a little bit slower to get there but now we are getting there it is about the growth in the grassroots environment. We're in a good place but there is still a lot to do.' Ludlow was speaking at the training base for Gwalia United, Wales' oldest women's football club and the only Welsh team operating in the English women's system. The club, previously known as Cardiff City Ladies, have produced more than 100 Wales internationals including legends Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gwalia have benefitted from £20,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport Wales, while The FAW is driving unprecedented growth in women's and girls' football through dedicated programmes, including and Huddle, supported by significant National Lottery investment that has helped double the FAW's commitment to female participation. Over £300,000 of National Lottery funds from Sport Wales was invested into FAW projects and initiatives in the 2024/25 season alone, with the FAW able to double its investment in women's and girls' football with National Lottery support. Additional National Lottery funding includes £750,000 for the development of the National Football Centre in Cardiff and £250,000 for the Elite Centre in Wrexham (Colliers Park). Bethan Woolley, the strategic lead of women's and girls' football at the FAW believes Wales' appearance at the Euros in Switzerland will have an enormous impact on the grassroots game. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'This is just the start of the journey, we are really seeing this opportunity as being the catalyst for more women and girls than ever before to be involved in the game. 'We are developing a new talent pathway to ensure every woman and girl has the right environment to play and develop and achieve. 'We have a comprehensive legacy programme that is aligned to the women's and girls' strategy. 'The key priorities within them are to increase participation, reduce the number of girls leaving the game between 12 and 17. 'It is also around how we can increase the number of local role models within football so women's referees, women's coaches, women's volunteers.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To support this the FAW are running free coaching workshops in July for people interested in getting into coaching and to help those already involved develop. It is part of Chwarae FOR HER, a week-long celebration beginning on 5 July that highlight the power of football and aims to inspire women and girls across Wales to get involved. The National Lottery's ongoing investment—with players raising £30 million weekly for good causes throughout the UK—ensures that Wales's Euro 2025 debut is just the beginning of the story. Thanks to National Lottery players, over £6bn has been invested in grassroots sport over the last 30 years, helping the FAW double its investment in women's and girls' football. Programmes like and Huddle are driving unprecedented growth, as well as The National Lottery-funded Performance Pathway, all contributing to Wales Women's first ever major tournament qualification at this summer's EUROs. For more information on how you can get involved in coaching and all FAW programmes and initiatives, visit:
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson left 'intimated and emotional' by fierce Red Wall support at Euro 2025
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson left 'intimated and emotional' by fierce Red Wall support at Euro 2025 Welsh fans marched in their thousands to Allmend Stadion. Despite suffering defeat, Wilkinson took time to pay thanks to the Welsh support in Switzerland. (Image: (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) ) The Red Wall were so fierce in Wales' Euro 2025 opener that manager Rhian Wilkinson says she felt "intimidated and emotional". While Cymru may have suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Netherlands, the unwavering support in Lucerne was simply superb. The antics started with a pre-match march to the stadium from the fan zone, with waves of orange and red flowing through the streets and bringing the city to a standstill. Welsh fans belted out epic renditions of Yma O Hyd, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and 'Don't Take Me Home', setting an exhilarating tone for the day's action. The atmosphere spilled into the stadium, too, with The Red Wall's song emphasised by the acoustics within Allmend Stadion. Then, Wilkinson entered the field to greet the fans ahead of kick-off, and she was met with a thunderous reaction. Wilkinson looked visibly shocked despite her grateful smile, with cheers roaring on as she exited the field. The players received an equally rapturous applause from the fans once it was their turn to enter the field, smiling and laughing to each other at just how good the occasion was. Article continues below Speaking in her post-match press conference, Wilkinson acknowledged how good the fans were. "Even better," said Wilkinson, when asked whether the support was as good as the players had dreamt of. "I spoke to the players before the game as well, and I said: 'These people have shown up to thank you for getting them there. "They want to see you give it everything you have and they're right there behind you.' And that's exactly what they did. "From the second I walked out before the players, I got a little bit intimidated, it was quite emotional! "And of course it was for the players as well. So a huge thank you to all the fans here and back home. "Of course, we want to push our standards and make sure to get the game a little tighter and make our moments count in these two games. "But, a huge thank you to the crowd tonight and the Dutch fans, what a cool atmosphere for both teams." Vivianne Miedema bagged her 100th goal for Netherlands to break the deadlock against Wales, with further strikes from Esme Brugts and Victoria Pelova securing the win. Article continues below Welsh supporters will have been concerned to see Ceri Holland with a suspected injury in the second half, but Wilkinson confirmed it was simply a cramp. And while it may have been a loss, Cymru made history with their first-ever appearance at a major women's football tournament. Up next are some tough tasks against France and England in Group D, with both matches set to take place in St Gallen.
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Rhian Wilkinson wants Wales to bounce back from opening setback
Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time in Lucerne with a fantastic curling effort to bag her 100th international goal. Victoria Pelova then doubled the advantage just three minutes into the second half before Esmee Brugts wrapped the three points up as Wales slipped to defeat in their opening game. Wales are the lowest-ranked side in the competition, but Wilkinson believes her team can take confidence from the loss in preparation for Wednesday's meeting with France. ⏰ FT | 🏴 0-3 🇳🇱 Defeat in our opening game at #WEURO2025 in Lucerne. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 5, 2025 'I think all of us as a group are going to have learned something about how we have to suffer in moments of a game,' Wilkinson said in her post-match press conference. 'We have to hang on and we can't capitulate our chains, our connection as a group has to be really tight. We saw moments where we just got a bit stretched and they took advantage of that. 'I do think the players themselves – it sounds strange when you lose 3-0 – but they'll have gained a bit of confidence in this. 'We'd rather lose by three or four nothing and try and play than just sit back. You could say we were defensive in the first half, but it was for a real purpose, we had a game plan and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 'It almost got us to half, so in that way I don't think it was completely off-base but we'll keep pushing.' Wales are currently bottom of the Group D standings following their defeat, with Wednesday's opponents France in second place after beating England 2-1 on Saturday night. They conclude their group campaign with a clash against England and Wilkinson is hoping the team can take lessons into their upcoming matches. Cymru yn creu hanes 🏴 First Women's EURO game ✅#WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 5, 2025 She added: 'We have to create more opportunities and make sure those moments of lapses get fewer and fewer. 'This is the world stage, this is the big event and it's intimidating, it's the first game, but equally this is what we want. It comes with lessons like this. 'We've got two more big games and we've got to show up again and hopefully learn from how we finished that game because we really stepped up in the last 20 to 25 minutes.'
