Wales' troubles continue as Japan condemn them to 18th successive defeat

The result is a momentous one for the Brave Blossoms as it marks only their second-ever win in 15 matches against Wales and their first triumph in this fixture since 2013. Japan's current head coach Eddie Jones also masterminded the first win in Tokyo 12 years ago.

Both sides scored three tries apiece with Takuro Matsunaga, Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea crossing the whitewash for the home side while Seungsin Lee finished with a nine-point contribution after succeeding with three conversions and a penalty.

For the visitors, Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers dotted down while they were also awarded a penalty try while Sam Costelow added a conversion.

Wales were fastest out of the blocks and opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute when Wales won possession at a lineout deep inside Brave Blossoms territory. From the set-piece, Taulupe Faletau launched an attack and drew in a couple of defenders before offloading to the on-rushing Thomas, who crashed over for a deserved try.

Costelow added the extras before Japan struck back in the 16th minute when Matsunaga crossed for his five-pointer after excellent work from Kippei Ishida in the build-up.

Midway through the half, Wales extended their lead courtesy of a penalty try after Ichigo Nakakusu deliberately slapped the ball out of Adams' hands close to Japan's try-line and Nakakusu was also yellow carded for his indiscretion.

Two minutes later, Rogers got over for his try after finding himself in space down the left-hand touchline and showing the defence a clean pair of heels with a blistering run before dotting down.

The second half was a completely different story as the Brave Blossoms gained the upper hand before being rewarded in the 59th minute when Nakakusu crossed in the left-hand corner.

Lee added the extras and slotted a penalty five minutes later which meant the match was evenly poised with Wales holding a slender 19-17 lead.

Japan continued to attack as the half progressed and in the 70th minute they took the lead for the first time when Vailea crossed for his converted try off the back of a maul deep inside the visitors' 22.

That gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match and although Wales tried desperately to strike back in the game's closing stages, it wasn't to be as the Brave Blossoms held for a deserved victory.

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