Japan Extends Record Winning Streak Over Wales to 18 Tests in Kyushu

Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Wales 24-19 in the first test of their two-match series in Kitakyushu, extending Wales' losing streak to 18 matches. Wales had a strong start with early tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, building a 19-7 halftime lead, but Japan dominated the second half with tries from Takuro Matsunaga, Ichigo Nakakusu, and Halatoa Vailea, capitalizing on Wales' handling errors in the hot and humid conditions. Wales, currently without a permanent head coach and enduring a record losing run since their last win over Georgia in 2023, fielded an inexperienced side in a bid to halt their decline, with interim coach Matt Sherratt emphasizing the importance of ending the streak. The extreme heat and slippery ball conditions were challenging for both teams, with Sherratt noting the difficulty in keeping the ball dry impacted the flow of play more than the temperature itself. Japan's coach Eddie Jones highlighted that inexperience can sometimes be advantageous in such conditions, while Wales prepared with heat chamber training and other measures to adapt to the environment. The teams are set for the second test in Kobe, where Wales hope to break their losing streak and regain momentum.