In what's turning into a saga more tragic than a Shakespeare play, Wales' rugby team has extended their losing streak to a staggering 18 games, succumbing to Eddie Jones' Japan in a dramatic 24-19 comeback victory. The match, a sweaty showdown in Kitakyushu's humidity, saw Japan overturn a first-half deficit to hand Wales another heartbreak.
Wales seemed to set the pace early on with Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers, and a penalty try all crossing the line, hinting at a possible end to their dismal run. However, the Welsh hopes were dashed in the second half as Japan, powered by their trademark high-tempo game, staged a thrilling comeback. Seungsin Lee, Japan's flyhalf, encapsulated the mood post-match.
"We lost out to them in the first half but our DNA is to play high-tempo rugby,"
Lee remarked, also highlighting the boost this win gave them:
"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."
The clash was not without its casualties. Welsh lock Ben Carter was stretchered off just a minute into the game in a distressing scene, marking a worrying return following his injury absence. Meanwhile, Japan's Takuro Matsunaga also exited early due to injury after leveling the score with a try, making way for debutant Ichigo Nakakusu who experienced a tough start, conceding a penalty try and earning a yellow card for his troubles.
Despite an early second-half setback where a knock-on denied Japan a try, Nakakusu redeemed himself by scoring, setting the stage for Halatoa Vailea's decisive try in the closing minutes. Lee's strategic kicks and Vailea's late heroics sealed the deal for Japan, leaving Wales to rue what could have been.
The Welsh team's spiral of despair has been tough to watch since their last win against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup. This latest defeat, especially following a humiliating 68-14 thrashing by England, piles on the pressure. As the temperatures soared on the field, so did the tensions, with Wales finding yet another way to let victory slip through their fingers. Meanwhile, Japan's resilient finish underlines their rising prowess and leaves Wales searching for answers in the ruins of another shattered campaign.
As the two teams prepare for their next encounter, Wales will be desperate to break their chain of defeats, while Japan will look to ride the momentum from their spirited victory.
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In what's turning into a saga more tragic than a Shakespeare play, Wales' rugby team has extended their losing streak to a staggering 18 games, succumbing to Eddie Jones' Japan in a dramatic 24-19 comeback victory. The match, a sweaty showdown in Kitakyushu's humidity, saw Japan overturn a first-half deficit to hand Wales another heartbreak.
Wales seemed to set the pace early on with Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers, and a penalty try all crossing the line, hinting at a possible end to their dismal run. However, the Welsh hopes were dashed in the second half as Japan, powered by their trademark high-tempo game, staged a thrilling comeback. Seungsin Lee, Japan's flyhalf, encapsulated the mood post-match.
"We lost out to them in the first half but our DNA is to play high-tempo rugby,"
Lee remarked, also highlighting the boost this win gave them:"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."
The clash was not without its casualties. Welsh lock Ben Carter was stretchered off just a minute into the game in a distressing scene, marking a worrying return following his injury absence. Meanwhile, Japan's Takuro Matsunaga also exited early due to injury after leveling the score with a try, making way for debutant Ichigo Nakakusu who experienced a tough start, conceding a penalty try and earning a yellow card for his troubles.
Despite an early second-half setback where a knock-on denied Japan a try, Nakakusu redeemed himself by scoring, setting the stage for Halatoa Vailea's decisive try in the closing minutes. Lee's strategic kicks and Vailea's late heroics sealed the deal for Japan, leaving Wales to rue what could have been.
The Welsh team's spiral of despair has been tough to watch since their last win against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup. This latest defeat, especially following a humiliating 68-14 thrashing by England, piles on the pressure. As the temperatures soared on the field, so did the tensions, with Wales finding yet another way to let victory slip through their fingers. Meanwhile, Japan's resilient finish underlines their rising prowess and leaves Wales searching for answers in the ruins of another shattered campaign.
As the two teams prepare for their next encounter, Wales will be desperate to break their chain of defeats, while Japan will look to ride the momentum from their spirited victory.