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Edwards (5'), Rees-Zammit (50'), Tompkins (62')
Tries
Ishida (14'), Makisi (59')
Edwards (6', 50', 63')
Conversions
Lee (15', 60')
Evans (82')
Penalties
Lee (47', 55', 65')
We said before the Test that it was a game the Japanese really needed to win, but they have again failed to deliver under Eddie Jones, as the side lost 24-23 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff with 61,324 watching on. The Welsh claimed a 2-1 unofficial series win, but more importantly, secured the top 12 spot in World Rugby’s rankings.
For all of Brave Blossoms' heart and gusto, and intent to play a style that excites. And for all Jones’s post-game wisecracks, it's a side now on a 5-match losing run, and Eddie Jones has yet to beat top-six opposition as Head Coach of either England, Australia or Japan since 2022, never mind a struggling Wales down to 14 men.
For Wales, their win in Japan in July ended their horrendous losing streak, and this win in Cardiff now ends their 10-game home losing streak.
Japan’s Head Coach strategy of putting the focus on him to detract from the players is a well-known and tired one, but at some point, those wearing the red and white Brave Blossom need to actually deliver performances and results and stop accruing yellow cards (Epineri Uluiviti and Faulua Makisi and Hockings against the Welsh).
The three yellows in this fixture bring the tally to a total of 8 in the past four games (and losses) to Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and Wales.
Japan Captain Warner Dearns commented, “We took too many penalties and made too many mistakes today. Wales took control of the game. I think we gave them chances. We lost one player and then two because of yellow cards, which made the first half tough, and if they had been there, the situation might have been different.
In the second half, when the opponent was down, we talked about taking advantage of our larger number of players and attacking.”
The game in Cardiff was tied 7-7 all at the half, and the Japanese were in front with a two-point advantage for the final 15 minutes, after Japan's tries were scored by Kippei Ishida and Faulua Makisi, while Lee Seung Sin kicked the points even though his sharp radar was slightly off on the day.
Wales scored a last-minute penalty to win via Jarrod Evans, who came off the bench to slot it. This is after a penalty and a yellow card to replacement lock Harry Hockings, making his debut for Japan, at the 80-minute mark.
Jones said post-match that they have handed out as many as 25 first caps in 2025 - a staggering number.
On a weekend which saw so many needless cards, Wales also had Josh Adams sent off in the final minute of the first half, which should have opened up the opportunity for Japan’s attack to exploit the edges and win the game, but it did not materialise.
Jones and the coaching team will look at the stats. The Brave Blossoms enjoyed more possession (54%) and massively had the territorial advantage (68%).
With the ball in hand, the side made 1,085 metres from 186 carries compared to 627 metres from 95 carries by Wales. Their win for a first win in Wales continues, although the result was far better than the losing average of the previous five visits of 51 points.
Head Coach Eddie Jones said, “To lose the match at the last minute at Principality Stadium is tough. The atmosphere is electric, the ground lights up, and you’ve got to handle that pressure. At the end of the day, in the last five minutes, we didn’t handle it well. We had a lead, and we should have been able to keep it for the rest of the game.
Having said that, I’m really proud of the way the team approached the game. We went out there right from the start to win it, which is a good approach from a young team. It’s an experience for these young players, and we will get a lot out of today.”
The loss means Japan can not enter the top 12 team rankings, and they will be in Band 3 for the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw.
Next week, Japan heads to Tbilisi to face Georgia. Jones added, “A win today would have been a real boost going forward, but we’ve got to pick ourselves up, get on the plane to Tbilisi and front up next Saturday.”
Dearns said of the final Test, “Our next match against Georgia will be a physical game, with a lot of scrums. We will make sure to correct what we didn't do today."
The result will be important to give the players and staff some confidence before they head into the new JRLO season, which kicks off in a few weeks, but the calendar year has been a poor one, results-wise, for the Brave Blossoms.
