Gwyn Jones: Wales' main problem is clear, they have to win by any means possible

Wales Online

11-07-2025

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Wales were holding a two-score lead as they approached the final quarter in the first test. They did not look particularly comfortable, and they were not bossing the game, but they were in touching distance of a precious victory.
However, Japan hit their stride and produced a 20 minute spell that consigned Wales to yet another defeat. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia.
Japan deserved their win; the rugby they played in those closing minutes ran Wales ragged. The speed of ball, the accuracy of their handling and unity of purpose was responsible for two tries, while another try was disallowed.
Wales did not score a point for the last 60 minutes of that match. They looked exactly as you would expect a side in their position to look. They did not know how to manage the game, to shut it down and get off the field with an ugly win.
I expect Japan to be better in the second test this weekend. I cannot see them making as many unforced errors in this match. They will also have some confidence under their belt. But most of all they know that if they can get their multiphase game going and get pace in attack then no matter what situation they're in, they have the game to beat Wales.
However, all is not lost for Wales. There are plenty of silver linings that came from that defeat.
(Image: Getty Images)
Wales will know they can score from strike plays. Two tries directly from scrum and lineout showed that they have the invention and precision to score on first phase which is massive in this heat.
Secondly, Luke Pearce is the referee. The scrum was a lottery last weekend with penalties handed out without any grasp of what was actually happening. I thought Wales had the upper hand marginally, and I would hope Pearce would be able to discern which pack is the stronger eight.
Wales's lineout let them down again. with too many opportunities lost in attacking positions. The throws weren't perfect but the main problem with the lineouts is the lack of movement and deception they have.
Wales jumpers and lifters are static and go up on timing patterns but Japan were able to read these and often had two competing for the ball. That piles pressure on the hooker, the window he has to aim at is so small that it creates its own pressure.
For all Dewi Lake's strengths, throwing in isn't top of the list. But give him a chance, make the lineouts harder to compete against.
Wales' kicking game could be the key in the second test. Both Josh Adams and Tom Rogers had success in regaining box kicks. Unfortunately only about half of the box kicks that went up to be contested were on the money.
Keiron Hardy is a fine technical scrum half with high skill levels, but he was under pressure at the base too often to land the ball on target. Wales need an extra body in the train to give him that buffer.
I think these are all issues that can be improved significantly over the course of a week, and I have faith the coaches Wales have brought together can solve these problems. They are young fresh coaches that are close to the game. It is obvious that the players like them and so they have a fighting chance of fixing the weaknesses ahead of this match.
The biggest barrier preventing Wales from ending the streak is now an emotional/psychological one. This team is at rock bottom. They have endured beating after beating. They lost by 70 points at home to England. That leaves a deep wound.
They look lost at times, doubting themselves. It is painful to watch. If only they could muster a win. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Anything that removes the albatross around their neck.
Gwyn Jones is part of the S4C commentary team for Japan v Wales on Saturday. The match is being shown exclusively on S4C, with coverage starting at 6.30am.
Lions have crisis of identity
The Lions on the other hand have the opposite problem, plenty of wins but pretty short on quality. I think the Lions are increasingly confused in what they are trying to do in Australia.
It is no secret that the way to beat the Wallabies is to go after their pack. You pick a big nasty outfit, and you set about pulverising their forwards until you expose the soft underbelly of their bench. Their backs get a hammering too, as you engage them in a gain line battle.
So why are the Lions not establishing that physical dominance? They appear wedded to the idea that they need to go wide at every opportunity. They rarely catch and drive lineouts, they allow teams off the hook at the scrum, even though they are in complete control.
They look far more threatening when Bundee Aki takes the ball up in midfield. It forces the defensive line back and gives the Lions far more structure to work from. But their stock play is to pull the ball back to the second line.
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What has been even more perplexing is that they seem to be selecting a team to smash it up, with Chessum at 6, Mcarthy at 4 and Curry on the openside, yet they are asking these players to throw the ball about. It is not their bag. These are direct players. Let them do what they are good at and the rest will take care of itself.
Australia will be hoping that the Lions continue to ignore their massive power advantage and engage in an open and unstructured series, because then they have a chance.
Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that the Lions will see sense, slow the game down, establish set piece control and grind the Wallabies into the dirt. And that's something Wales need to do too.