Welsh misery continues as they lose first test in Japan

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Japan coach Eddie Jones selected eight uncapped players, plus another eight with just 10 caps or less, for the Test against Wales on June 5.

PHOTO: AFP

Japan stormed back in the second half to beat Wales 24-19 on Kyushu Island on Saturday in the first of a two-test series, extending the visitors’ record losing streak to 18 matches.

Japan were 19-7 down at the break, but two second-half tries saw them come back to overhaul the deficit.

There were three tries for both teams in the clash in hot and humid conditions in an error-strewn clash at the Mikuni World Stadium, where Wales were hoping to end 18 months of misery, having last won a match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Georgia in Nantes, France.

They looked to be well on course at the break but fell apart in the second half as Japan rallied for the narrow victory.

Japan’s fullback Takuro Matsunaga scored in the first half, while his replacement Ichigo Nakakusu and fellow substitute Halatoa Vailea went over for two more tries.

All were converted by Lee Seungsin, who also kicked over a penalty.

The tourists points came in the first half, with Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers going over, and Wales also awarded a penalty try. Sam Costelow kicked over a single conversion.

Welsh rugby is seeking to rebuild after plunging to a new low in a 68-14 defeat to England in their final Six Nations game in March, but the loss in Japan is a further blow