Japan made a remarkable comeback in the second half to secure a 24-19 victory over Wales on Saturday at the Mikuni World Stadium on Kyushu Island. This result extended Wales’ unfortunate record to 18 Test match losses in a row.
At halftime, Japan found themselves down 19-7, but they turned the game around with two crucial tries in the second period. The match was characterized by errors from both teams, as they each managed to score three tries during the contest. Wales had hoped to end their long period without a win, having last triumphed against Georgia during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but were unable to maintain their lead.
The scoring began with Japan’s fullback Takuro Matsunaga, who crossed the line in the first half. In the second half, substitutes Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea added two more tries, all of which were converted by Lee Seungsin, who also contributed with a penalty kick. For Wales, the points came from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, along with a penalty try, with Sam Costelow converting just one of those attempts.
Wales’ rugby team is in the midst of a rebuilding phase following a disappointing 68-14 defeat to England in their final Six Nations matchup in March. The loss against Japan represents yet another setback, as they will now drop to 14th in the World Rugby rankings.
This match reflects the resilience of the Japanese team and highlights their potential to compete effectively on the international stage, while also serving as a wake-up call for Wales as they seek to restore their form and confidence.