JAPAN HAVE RECORDED an historic first Test victory over Wales, winning 23-8 in Tokyo on Saturday to split the two-match series.
A weakened Wales team, without 15 British and Irish Lions players, narrowly avoided a maiden loss to Japan in the first match between the teams last Saturday, winning the game in Osaka 22-18.
Looking to improve on that impressive result, the hosts took the lead in Tokyo through a penalty from fullback Ayumu Goromaru in the 14th minute.
The away side hit back seven minutes later with a three-pointer of their own from fly-half Dan Biggar, only for Japan to regain the lead courtesy of Goromaru’s second penalty of the match on 34 minutes, a gift following some sloppy play from Rhys Patchell.
Patchell, on as a substitute for the injured Owen Williams, broke the line but ignored options and lost the ball in the tackle, allowing Japan to counter and prompting Bradley Davies to foul in the ruck.
Having seen Lloyd Williams and Harry Robinson pass up earlier opportunities, it was Wales who eventually opened the try-scoring, winger Tom Prydie crossing on 44 minutes following good play by Patchell and Biggar.
But this time Japan were not to be denied, as Australian-born centre Craig Wing, a convert to union and a former State of Origin representative in rugby league, touched down on 49 minutes, Goromaru adding the extras from out wide.
Next was the turn of another import, New Zealand-born Michael Broadhurst, to get past Rhys Gill and claim Japan’s second try on 60 minutes, and Goromaru again made no mistake with the conversion.
Any slim hopes Wales had of mounting a late escape act ended with the four minutes to go, when Goromaru sent over his third penalty of the match, sealing a famous victory for Japan.
Elsewhere, New Zealand ran out easy 30-0 winners over France this morning, thanks in part to this super try at the death:
YouTube: Kieron Crook
