Scrum-half Kieran Hardy (right) played 80 minutes in both games against Japan

Wales Finally End Losing Run with Gritty Win Over Japan in Kobe

Kieran Hardy and Dan Edwards star as Wales secure first victory in 644 days to level series

For the first time in 21 months, Wales tasted victory. After 644 long days and 18 consecutive Test defeats, Matt Sherratt’s side finally ended their drought with a hard-fought 28-26 win over Japan in Kobe. This wasn’t just a win; it was a sigh of relief, a release of tension, and a much-needed dose of joy for a team that had become far too accustomed to the wrong side of the scoreline.

In the humid cauldron of the Noevir Stadium, under a closed roof and with temperatures pushing 32 degrees Celsius outside, Wales built a dominant first-half lead through two tries from Kieran Hardy and one from Josh Adams. But as the game wore on and the Japanese crowd found their voice, the Brave Blossoms mounted a spirited comeback that threatened to turn the tide.

Yet this time, Wales held on. Thanks to a composed performance from fly-half Dan Edwards, who capped his first Wales start with a try and 16-point haul, the tourists held their nerve and levelled the summer series 1-1.

Breaking the Cycle: From Kitakyushu to Kobe

Wales had arrived in Kobe nursing the bruises of an 18-match losing streak. The 24-19 loss in Kitakyushu the previous weekend had left them on the brink of unwanted history. One more defeat would have seen them break France’s record of 19 consecutive Test losses between 1911 and 1920 – the longest run for a tier-one nation.

Japan, meanwhile, were looking to make history of their own by sealing their first ever series win over Wales and back-to-back victories against a tier-one side. With pride and pressure weighing heavily on both teams, the opening exchanges were predictably cagey.

Mistakes abounded early on, but Wales eventually clicked into gear. A turnover from Alex Mann and some silky hands from centre Ben Thomas set up Adams for the opening try, with Edwards adding the extras.

Hardy at the Double, Adams Lively

Wing Josh Adams scored the first of Wales’ four tries in Kobe

Wales’ early lineout woes were soon forgotten as their maul began to assert dominance. That pressure told when Faulua Makisi was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements, and Hardy seized the moment to burrow over from close range.

Soon after, Hardy added his second following a blistering break by Adams. It was as fluid and purposeful as Wales had looked in months. The platform was laid by a much-improved set piece and a pack led by the ever-energetic Aaron Wainwright.

At 21-3 up, it looked like the dam had finally burst.

Japan Fight Back as Heat Takes its Toll

But Eddie Jones had other ideas. Japan’s head coach pulled the trigger early, bringing on a fresh front row before half-time. It paid immediate dividends. Replacement prop Shuhei Takeuchi powered over and Seungsin Lee converted to reduce the deficit to 21-10 at the break.

With the heat rising and the humidity sapping the energy from both sides, the second half became a battle of will. Wales welcomed Ospreys wing Keelan Giles to the Test arena at long last — nine years after his first call-up — but the momentum was shifting.

Japan’s Warner Deans crashed over before Dylan Riley pounced on a loose ball from Edwards to score under the posts, bringing the hosts within two points.

Edwards Seals It in Style

It was shaping up to be another heartbreaking collapse for Wales. But this time, they refused to fold. Replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams entered for his debut, and despite a backline reshuffle that saw wingers and centres interchanging wildly, Wales dug deep.

The breakthrough came through Edwards, who darted over after some neat handling from Taine Plumtree. With the conversion nailed, the Welsh lead was restored to a two-score cushion.

Japan rallied once more, but a key turnover and some streetwise defence saw Wales cling on. When the final whistle blew, Dewi Lake and Matt Sherratt embraced with the kind of emotion only 21 months of pain can provoke.

A Win to Build On

Wales‘ last win had come against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup. Since then, the narrative had been dominated by defeats, questions over leadership, and a seemingly never-ending search for answers.

This win, the final game under interim boss Matt Sherratt, offers more than just scoreboard satisfaction. It lifts a cloud ahead of a new era, with the WRU expected to name a permanent successor to Warren Gatland in the coming weeks.

The likes of Edwards, Hardy, Mann and Thomas offered glimpses of a brighter future. And while discipline and game management still need work, this was a step in the right direction.

Final Word: Overcoming More Than Just an Opponent

Make no mistake, this was more than just a rugby match. It was a symbolic end to a miserable chapter. Under the searing heat and suffocating humidity, in a stadium where even the roof couldn’t offer relief, Wales overcame more than just Japan.

They overcame self-doubt. They overcame history. And, finally, they remembered what winning feels like.