In a momentous turn of events, Wales finally broke their record 18-match losing streak by securing a 31-22 victory over Japan in the second Test of their summer tour, held at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe on July 12, 2025. This win marks Wales' first Test triumph in nearly two years, providing a much-needed boost for a rugby nation grappling with a prolonged period of struggle.
The game kicked off at 6:50 a.m. UK time under the closed roof of the stadium, where the hot and humid conditions posed a significant challenge for both teams. Wales had endured a difficult season, having lost nine consecutive matches and plummeting to a record low 14th place in the world rankings. The departure of head coach Warren Gatland earlier in February 2025 had left the team without a permanent leader, with interim coach Matt Sherratt stepping in for this crucial series.
Wales entered the match with a clear objective: to end their losing run and restore some pride. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who has been managing the team while preparing to return to his Cardiff day job, expressed the emotional weight on the squad. "It is hard to put into words," Sherratt said. "They are desperate, desperate to do well for everybody back home. When you are in the bubble, you do not realise how pleased your family and your friends are for you. It's why you do it." He highlighted the delicate balance the players needed to strike between passion and composure: "The fine line is when you are so desperate and want to win so much, you can be over emotive. It's about trying to get them in the right space for Saturday. It is going to be a balance over heart and brain. There is not a team that wants to win more than this group of players. Let's hope we get the balance right between quality and desperation on Saturday." To inspire the team further, Sherratt brought in Wales football boss Craig Bellamy and former rugby international Richard Parks to remind the players of the honor of representing Wales, with Bellamy emphasizing the global respect Welsh rugby commands.
The match itself was a thrilling contest. Wales opened the scoring when Blair Murray made a break and offloaded to Josh Adams, who crossed for the first try, converted by Dan Edwards. Wales continued to dominate in the first half, with Kieran Hardy touching down twice, both tries converted by Edwards, extending Wales' lead to 21-3. Japan managed to claw back some points with a penalty from Lee Seung-sin and a try on the stroke of half-time by Shuhei Takeuchi, converted by Lee, making the score 21-10 at the break.
Early in the second half, Wales faced adversity when Nicky Smith was forced off due to injury, replaced by Gareth Thomas. Japan struck back with two rapid tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley, narrowing the gap to just two points at 22-24. The atmosphere was tense as Japan pressed hard, but Wales' defense remained resilient. Crucially, Dan Edwards scored a decisive try with five minutes remaining and converted it himself, sealing the victory at 31-22.
The win was met with emotional scenes. Interim head coach Sherratt was visibly moved, as was captain Dewi Lake, underscoring the significance of this cathartic moment for Welsh rugby. The victory not only ended the longest losing streak in Welsh rugby history but also prevented the team from setting an unwanted new record for consecutive defeats by a tier-one nation, which would have surpassed France's record from the early 20th century.
Wales' squad for the match included notable players such as Blair Murray, Josh Adams, Dan Edwards, and Kieran Hardy, with several making key contributions. Replacements like Reuben Morgan-Williams and Chris Coleman earned their first caps during the game, signaling a focus on integrating new talent amidst the rebuilding process. The match officials were led by referee Luke Pearce from the RFU, with assistants Karl Dickson and Damian Schneider and TMO Glenn Newman.
Despite the joy of victory, the broader challenges facing Welsh rugby remain. The Welsh Rugby Union is grappling with a domestic crisis, including discussions about potentially reducing the number of professional sides from four to three or even two, driven by financial pressures and the need to halt the national team's decline. WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood are actively involved in seeking solutions, with a targeted resolution expected by September 2025. The lack of transparency and ongoing uncertainty have caused anxiety among players, coaches, and fans alike, with some fearing for the future of Welsh rugby's proud traditions.
Looking ahead, Wales will have a minimum of five weeks off before returning to pre-season preparations. Their next international challenge is a home match against Argentina in November 2025, a fixture that will test whether this victory can mark the start of a new era for Welsh rugby.
For now, the celebrations in Kobe stand as a beacon of hope. Wales have shown that even in the darkest moments, resilience and determination can prevail. The players, coaches, and supporters alike will savor this hard-fought win, a moment of profound release and a reminder of the spirit that defines Welsh rugby.
