05-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japan extend Wales' losing streak to 18 Tests with tight win in boiling conditions
Eddie Jones' Japan extended Wales' record losing streak to 18 games after winning the first of their two Tests 24-19 on Saturday thanks to a furious second-half fightback.
Advertisement
First-half tries from Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers and a penalty try looked to have put Wales in control in hot and humid Kitakyushu until Japan scored twice in the second half to snatch the win.
This was Japan's second win over Wales, the previous time being in 2013.
'We lost out to them in the first half but our DNA is to play high-tempo rugby,' said Japan fly-half Lee Seungsin.
'We haven't been able to beat any of the top 10 teams in the world for a few years now, so we're happy. More than anything, it gives us confidence.'
Advertisement
Wales' last victory came against Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023, and their losing streak is a record for a Tier One country in the professional era.
