Wales 28-21 Japan: Josh Adams double seals bonus-point win

Josh Adams scored twice as Wales survived a late Japan fightback to claim a bonus-point Nations Championship victory in Cardiff.

Archie Griffin and Louis Rees-Zammit also crossed in the 28-21 win, but head coach Steve Tandy acknowledged his side had fallen short of the performance he expected.

Wales led 21-14 at half-time and Adams’ second try gave them breathing space before Kenta Fukuda brought Japan back within seven points with five minutes remaining.

The visitors threatened an anxious finish for the home crowd of 52,425, but a late turnover penalty from Adams helped Wales see out their second win in four matches in the competition.

Wales 28-21 Japan: Adams delivers at both ends

Wales made an encouraging start, with Griffin scoring his first Test try inside three minutes after Rees-Zammit broke through and captain Dewi Lake carried the attack forward.

Japan responded through Ben Gunter, who powered over from 10 metres after the visitors won possession at a Welsh breakdown.

Adams restored the lead following a move involving Sam Costelow, Eddie James and Rees-Zammit, only for lock Warner Dearns to bring Japan level again from a line-out near the corner.

Rees-Zammit’s first try in eight internationals put Wales ahead three minutes before the interval. Nicky Smith then produced an important turnover on his own try-line to protect the seven-point advantage.

Japan continued to test the hosts after the break and finished with 62% of possession, but Wales held firm before producing the decisive attacking move.

With 12 minutes remaining, Blair Murray gathered a box kick and accelerated down the wing. He found Tomos Williams, whose pass sent Adams over for his second try and Wales’ fourth.

Japan refused to go away. Opeti Helu supplied Fukuda from the back of a ruck and the replacement scored to bring the visitors within a converted try.

Adams then made a crucial defensive contribution, winning the late penalty that helped Wales close out the match.

Tandy: Wales were not ruthless enough

The result gave Tandy his fourth victory in 13 Tests as Wales head coach, although he was dissatisfied with elements of the display.

“It’s a bonus-point win. It’s good to start. I can’t run away from the performance,” he said.

“There are elements we need to improve. I thought we’d be better. We weren’t ruthless enough.”

Lake shared that assessment but said the result mattered for a developing side.

“There were massive parts of that game where we let ourselves down,” the captain said.

“A win is massive for this group, for the confidence and trust we’ll get in each other.”

Japan left to rue missed opportunity

Japan collected a losing bonus point, but head coach Eddie Jones felt his team had passed up the chance to secure a significant victory.

“That could have been a historic win for us, but you’ve got to be good enough to take advantage of those mistakes,” he said.

Wales had twice surrendered the lead in the first half and were made to defend for long periods. Japan, however, could not turn enough of their possession into points to complete the comeback.

Wales face New Zealand next

Wales remain fifth in the northern hemisphere standings with 10 points, level with England before their match against Australia on Sunday.

Tandy’s side have beaten Fiji and Japan in the Nations Championship, with their defeats coming against Argentina and South Africa.

They host New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday 14 November, with kick-off at 2.10pm, before welcoming Australia a week later.

Japan travel to Twickenham to face England on 14 November at 4.40pm, then play Scotland.

Follow further results and team news in our international rugby coverage, with broadcast listings in our rugby on TV guide.

Wales 28-21 Japan: scorers

Wales: Tries: Griffin, Adams 2, Rees-Zammit. Conversions: Costelow 3, D Edwards.

Japan: Tries: Gunter, Dearns, Fukuda. Conversions: Saito 2, Komura.

Half-time: Wales 21-14 Japan. Attendance: 52,425.