When Wales were down to 13 players in the final minutes in Kumagaya City, Japan still could not break through. The visitors held on for a 29-5 win, finishing their WXV Global Series campaign with a third victory and a second win over Japan in two meetings.
The result capped a striking change in fortunes for Sean Lynn’s side. Before their game against South Africa, Wales had gone nine Tests without a win. They lost only once in the Global Series, against the USA, and ended the competition with momentum. Japan, known as the Sakura Fifteen, are still looking for their first win since May and their first under head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa.
Wales started with purpose. After a loose Japanese goal-line drop-out, co-captain Alex Callender surged deep into Japan’s 22. The ball moved wide, and wing Nel Metcalfe scored in the corner. Fly-half Lleucu George added the conversion.
Japan answered through hooker Moe Nagaoka, who scored from a driving maul after the hosts built pressure. But Wales soon restored their lead. George’s kick put Japan under pressure, and Lisa Neumann won the ball back. Wales used their line-out and maul to send hooker Kelsey Jones over for her second try in as many games. George converted again.
Wales’ forwards kept making ground, creating space for the backs. Seren Lockwood found wing Amy Williams, who scored before half-time to make it 19-5. After the break, prop Sisilia Tuipulotu powered over from close range for Wales’ fourth try, securing the bonus point. Williams then ran in her second try after Callender passed wide to Neumann, who sent the winger away.
Japan’s Jennifer Nduka received a yellow card in the 44th minute after repeated penalties, and Wales took advantage to extend their lead. But the closing stretch tested the visitors. Replacements Keira Bevan and Hannah Dallavalle were both sin-binned in the 68th and 70th minutes, leaving Wales with 13 players. Japan attacked in search of another try, but Wales defended stubbornly. Callender made a crucial turnover to help close out the match.
Wales co-captain Kate Williams said the team had played “some exciting attacking rugby,” while also pointing to discipline as an area that let Japan back into the game. She praised the response when Wales were short-handed: “There was some real grit and determination behind that.”
The win completed a 2-0 series double against Japan, following Wales’ 17-0 victory in the opening Test. For Wales, the tour offered proof that their attack and defence can deliver wins after a difficult run. For Japan, the late pressure showed how close they came to making the scoreline more competitive, but the search for a first victory under Kitagawa continues.