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North Wales Chronicle
12-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
Rhyl Journal
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Wales fend off Japan fightback to end losing run
Played under the closed roof of the Noevir Stadium, Wales scored three first-half tries, with Josh Adams opening the scoring and Kieran Hardy going over twice after Lee Seung-sin's penalty, but Japan struck on the stroke of half-time through Shuhei Takeuchi. Although Dan Edwards' penalty extended Wales' lead, they slipped into trouble as two tries in quick succession from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley brought Japan back into the game. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 However, Edwards crossed with five minutes remaining to seal a much-needed victory for Wales and snap a lengthy losing run to secure a first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. Matt Sherratt made four changes from the side beaten by The Brave Blossoms last weekend, with Freddie Thomas, Archie Griffin and Aaron Wainwright lining up alongside Edwards, who was making his first start. Wales scored the opening try when Blair Murray squeezed through a gap and charged down the pitch before offloading to Adams to cross. Edwards added the conversion. Japan had a great opportunity when Ichigo Nakakusu eased through the Welsh defence and looked to have played in Michael Leitch, but the flanker was hauled down as Wales recovered. A mistake allowed Wainwright to pounce on a loose ball before launching a tidy grubber kick up-field for Adams. The winger reached the ball on the try-line but was unable to get a firm grip to ground it and it bounced out of play. Japan earned their first points of the game from Lee's penalty kick, but the visitors extended their advantage shortly afterwards from a line-out where the rolling maul reached the edge of the try-line and Hardy was able to reach over and touch down, with Edwards converting. 💥 Josh Adams 🤝 Kieran Hardy 💪#WelshRugby #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Faulua Makisi was sent to the sin bin and Wales soon took advantage of their extra man when a great switch in play allowed Adams to cut in from the left and break forward before passing into Hardy, who dived over, with Edwards scoring from the tee. Japan pulled a try back just before half-time when Takeuchi surged over the line and Lee converted. Wales suffered an early blow after the break when Nicky Smith was forced off through injury. Gareth Thomas came on, and although Japan started well, it was Wales who struck next as Edwards kicked a penalty. The hosts then enjoyed a superb build-up of phases which resulted in Dearns powering over the line and following a TMO review the try stood, but Lee's conversion flew wide of the posts. Wales suddenly found themselves in trouble as Riley latched onto a sloppy pass and sprinted up the centre of the pitch to cross underneath the posts. Lee converted to reduce the gap to two points. A cagey end to the game followed, but the visitors piled forward with five minutes to play and a quick move to the left allowed Edwards to cross before converting his own effort to wrap up the win.
Leader Live
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
Rhyl Journal
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Dewi Lake admitted he was 'over the moon' (Joe Giddens/PA) Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
