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00:00This really is massive. This Welsh team, they've only had two international wins this year.
00:05One of them coming in the summer, in the Nations Championship.
00:08Wales are going to want to give this crowd someone a shout about.
00:11This is a must-win game for them, especially when you consider the more difficult opposition they have to come.
00:16From Japan's perspective, they also only have that one win in the Nations Championship.
00:21This is going to be a game they will be targeting.
00:24They've never won in the Principality Stadium, but as you mentioned, last year they ran Wales.
00:29It's very close, super interesting in this game.
00:33Their referee, Paul Williams of New Zealand, in the middle for this one.
00:37They're set to go here.
00:40Both teams in their chains strip Wales in white, Japan in blue.
00:46Can Wales kick off the autumn?
00:49A new dawn for Steve Tandy, with a morale-boosting victory over the men from the land of the rising
00:55sun.
00:55Sam Costello dominating the column inches of his selection at 10 this week.
01:04Use it!
01:05Inside!
01:06Goes long and there's Naoto Saito.
01:09A Toulouse scrum half.
01:11One of the more experienced in this Japanese team.
01:14The understudy to the brilliant Antoine Dupont, of course.
01:18Watch in the front, watch in the front.
01:20You talk about that inexperience in this Japanese team.
01:23The difference between the caps, the average for Wales in the starting 15 is 35 caps.
01:28That's a really good, solid number.
01:30It's only 22 for the Japan team.
01:33The biggest difference for me is in that front row.
01:35We know how much Wales will pride themselves on that set piece.
01:38Wales have over-doubled the amount of international caps in that front row,
01:43so it's going to be tricky for Japan to compete.
01:45Good start there.
01:46Jack Cornelson, number eight, getting the turnover.
01:51And here come the Japanese Flyers Ishida.
01:53He is absolutely lightning on that right wing.
01:57No!
01:58That's their game plan.
02:00Chosoku rugby, they call it.
02:01Super fast.
02:03He'll be spreading from coast to coast.
02:07And there's a man who loves going coast-to-coast himself.
02:10Lewis Rees-Sammet up over the halfway.
02:13Failed by Baruda.
02:17First man.
02:20One.
02:21Counter-ruck.
02:22Nearly effective.
02:23Llewellyn to his centre partner, James.
02:27Wales now.
02:32Advantage!
02:33Jenkins, a penalty advantage.
02:35Costello.
02:37Long ball from Murray to Rhys-Sammet.
02:42So dangerous, the Bristol Bears winger.
02:46Got the advantage, Ryan.
02:49Williams.
02:50Costello.
02:52Thwellyn.
02:53There's Aaron Wainwright.
02:57Knock on there.
02:58Knock on.
02:59Gives Japan reprieve, but an early sign that it's not just Japan
03:03that are going to throw the ball around, really encouraging from Wales.
03:06Yeah, absolutely.
03:07Looking to get it into the wide channels early.
03:09And why not?
03:10You've got to use Louis V. Sammet.
03:12He's on fine form with his club in the premiership for Bristol.
03:16Scored five tries, five games.
03:18Can't really ask much more of him.
03:19So good to see him get his hands on the ball early.
03:23And an early sign of intent here from Sam Costello and the Welsh leadership team.
03:34We just get to see that break again.
03:37So strong.
03:37I think that's his USP.
03:39Yes, he's lightning fast, but people will scrag him.
03:42They will get arms to him.
03:43But nine times out of ten, he's so powerful.
03:45He just keeps pumping his legs and he can bust through.
03:4935 metres, that break.
03:51And it's got Wales in brilliant field position.
03:54Dewy Lake.
04:00It's been stopped once.
04:06This is a big physical Japanese pack.
04:11Wainwright.
04:12Williams goes the same way.
04:14Dewy Lake.
04:17Places to Archie Griffin.
04:21And that is the start that Wales needed to their autumn campaign.
04:27Inside four minutes.
04:30Archie Griffin gets his first score for Wales.
04:36I'm not sure the coaches can ask for much more from this Welsh team so far.
04:40They've been clinical.
04:41They've been effective.
04:43Set, piece, short, carry.
04:45Recycled.
04:46And then a lovely line there.
04:47Archie Griffin.
04:49Brilliant.
05:02You can hear a sigh of relief around the Principality.
05:08Brilliant start from Wales.
05:14One of the reasons they picked him.
05:17A brilliant goal kicker.
05:19The Scarlets man.
05:20And it's the perfect start for Wales.
05:24It really is.
05:26Scoring within the first five minutes.
05:27The possession, the territory has been all Wales.
05:31Now this is Japan's first real opportunity to try and attack.
05:34Put pressure on.
05:35See if they can build something.
05:37Get that ball back.
05:39Try from Archie Griffin.
05:41He had pretty horrific toe surgery in the summer.
05:46He was really impinging his ability to scrummage as a tighthead prop.
05:50He said it was like a shard of glass in his big toe.
05:54He had to get three anaesthetic injections before every game.
05:58You can see there.
06:00You can see there.
06:00No bother.
06:03Wales now regaining possession.
06:05Costello.
06:06Again puts boot to ball.
06:10Here comes the Japanese response.
06:12It's Kitahara on debut.
06:15The Honda heat fly half.
06:18Murray.
06:20Excellent touch finder.
06:22Inoki Burua thinks about it.
06:25There's another dangerous man in that Japanese backfield.
06:30Burua.
06:31Okay.
06:32And here, a little nod to our fantasy league, or our second chance league in particular.
06:38Stay, stay, stay, stay.
06:39For the Nations Championship.
06:41So whether you play during the summer or not, it's only the points from round four onwards.
06:46And a special prize.
06:48The player with the most points in round four will be winning two tickets to a 2028 Nations Championship pool
06:54match.
06:54So get involved in that one.
06:58Pressure on the Japanese line-out.
07:03Saito pulls in the long legs of Harry Hawkins.
07:08Charged down and touched.
07:11Griffin knocks the ball on.
07:17Penalty advantage in the end.
07:18That's Ben Gunter.
07:20Nozibor and flanker.
07:24Yeah, how good has he been for them?
07:27Top tackler, top jackler, the work rate.
07:29He really is a standout.
07:36Not really seen Japan with ball in hand yet.
07:41First line-out coming for Mamoru Harada.
07:46The brave Lupus from Tokyo.
07:48Spent the season in Moana, Pacifica.
07:50Look at where you are.
07:53The thing that the Japanese rugby union increasingly keen to do.
07:55And one of the players playing in top leagues around the world.
08:00And Saito.
08:03To Hara.
08:09Saito to Hawkins.
08:16No, no, no, no, because you came up from the side.
08:19Yeah, thanks.
08:20There's Warner Derns and Kitahara flat to the line.
08:23Cornelson.
08:25Third choice, number eight.
08:27Jack Cornelson.
08:29And ravaged by injuries, the Japanese.
08:32There's Dylan Riley.
08:34Such a classy midfield runner, Dylan Riley.
08:42The crowd appreciating the stout Welsh defence.
08:47And the ball is turned over.
08:54Yeah, Japan going nowhere there.
08:56Didn't really look like they were troubling the Welsh defence too much.
08:59They stayed connected.
09:01Eventually coming away with that turnover.
09:06Big opportunity now for the forwards back.
09:08Scrum, guys.
09:11Let's go, boys.
09:13Big double there.
09:14Max Llewellyn getting in.
09:15Ben Carter as well.
09:16Two big men.
09:20Imposing themselves, getting that turnover.
09:23He's right on the way there.
09:24Ben Carter.
09:25Bit of a breakthrough season last year.
09:2817 appearances for the Dragons.
09:30Nine for Wales.
09:31He's now the co-captain of the Dragons alongside Angus O'Brien.
09:35Got a real opportunity to make that second row position his own.
09:41Side Daveth Jenkins.
09:44A few running repairs.
09:47A positive start certainly from the Welsh point of view.
09:52Going to style?
09:53Going to style or no?
09:55Steve Tandy.
09:58All the messaging all week, super positive.
10:02Very pleased to have his camp a bit more settled.
10:05As was Eddie Jones, to be fair.
10:08Neil Hatley is a long-time trusted assistant.
10:13Defusive in his praise of what they're building in Japan.
10:17Okay.
10:17We are going to have a sub here, guys.
10:18It feels a big game here for the Welsh.
10:24The win here sets them up, continues the momentum that they've brought in from the summer, and good performances, not
10:30necessarily results, but good performances in the Six Nations.
10:34Okay, guys, we'll get together.
10:38We'll come together and then we'll put time back on.
10:40Perhaps needed here, on the sideline.
10:43and then we'll go to the corner.
10:43And then we'll take it back on.
10:46Inoki Burua, a Fijian Bourne flier.
10:50Yes, awesome.
10:51Such a talent for Kobe Steelers, that is a real issue.
10:55And it will be young Chisoo Lee.
10:59I'll give you this on. Yeah, I'll hear you.
11:02Still at university, Chisoo Lee.
11:05Not usually a winger, but he'll play there on the left wing.
11:08Interesting challenge for him up against Lewis Rees-Samit.
11:17Early weight, early movement.
11:20Ball juggled by Thomas Williams, but not judged to go forward.
11:24Here is Rees-Samit now.
11:26Good first involvement from Lee.
11:30Wainwright inside ball to Alex Mann.
11:34Williams goes blind again, Murray. Silky footwork.
11:38He's knocked it on back here.
11:40And they do come back for Thomas Williams knock-on.
11:43So that was from the back of the scrum, mate.
11:45It did seem a little lateral, shall we say.
11:48But yeah, they reviewed it, unfortunately.
11:53It was knocked on at the back of the scrum when the quick tap was taken.
11:57Knocked on.
11:58It's indicative of the tempo that Wales are wanting to put into the game, though.
12:02Thomas Williams does that brilliantly for Cyrus instead of...
12:06..fantastically for Gloucester for the last couple of seasons.
12:09The Gallagher Prem Player of the Year in 2024.
12:11Let's go. Let's go, boys.
12:15So, although Eddie Jones said it with a smile on his face
12:17that Wales would be kicking set-piece.
12:20Definitely trying...
12:22to move the ball quickly in this opening ten minutes.
12:27Crouch!
12:30Boy!
12:33Saito to feed.
12:35Saito to feed.
12:36Saito to feed.
12:40Saito to feed.
12:41Under pressure, but the ball is away.
12:43Kitahara to Riley.
12:46Short line is Ueda.
12:50Saito misses Derns, goes to Hawkins.
12:56Again, Welsh back row making an absolute nuisance of themselves.
13:03Saito, Kitahara, to the sky.
13:06Dylan Riley's under it.
13:08Just missed judges, and that's excellent work by Blair Murray.
13:14The ball is out, though.
13:16And it's an advantage.
13:18There's numbers outright.
13:19Gunter uses his feet.
13:24Ben Gunter with a try from nothing for Japan.
13:27And this Principality Crowder stunned.
13:34Well, credit where credit is due.
13:36Talk about being clinical with any opportunity you get.
13:41We'll see here now.
13:44We'll get spilt out his turnover.
13:49Straight to the edges.
13:52Gunter, we know how good he is in defence in that ruck area, but look, he completely turns Josh Adams
13:57inside out.
14:04Thanks, Mark.
14:05Such an important player for this Japanese team.
14:0720!
14:08Ben Gunter.
14:11Thanks, Mark.
14:12And then, Saito, with a chance to draw the score's level.
14:20Saito does do exactly that.
14:25And Gunter, born in Bangkok, raised in New South Wales, but he's been in Japan for well over a decade.
14:35A real find by that man, Eni Jones.
14:40And Costello.
14:42It's been all Wales this opening 12 minutes, but the scores are now level.
14:51One, backwards.
14:54Saito.
14:56Saito.
14:57Takeuchi.
14:58Big tight head prop.
15:00Lost carrying ball.
15:01Use it!
15:02Clearly on.
15:04Chacers.
15:05On.
15:06Saito.
15:07Not his best box kick, that one.
15:10Lee Samet and Lee.
15:14Barging on the touchline.
15:15Man, short ball to Aaron Wainwright.
15:18Lovely footwork.
15:20Well tackled by Kitahara.
15:22And the ball has made an absolute mess.
15:25And it's Takayuchi who hacks it forward.
15:29Bounces kindly for Costello and Blair Murray.
15:33And this game is as open as Eddie Jones promised.
15:36Trying to avoid the tackle.
15:39Williams to Thwellen.
15:42Wainwright.
15:44Here's Eddie James.
15:48Costello.
15:49And Jenkins.
15:55Back to Josh Adams.
15:59It's your player.
16:04Thwellen.
16:06He's hard, but into it.
16:08Jack Cornelson and Warner Derns only just gets the ball away.
16:13Alex Mann with the footwork.
16:15Gunter smashes him into the floor.
16:19Wailes hold the front.
16:24Chisoo Lee misjudges it.
16:27Spilled by Thwellen.
16:29And here comes Ishida.
16:30Wainwright's over.
16:32Tekken.
16:35Kipei Ishida.
16:37Thought he had an open prairie for a couple of seconds.
16:41Seven's flyer.
16:42What a breath-altering passage of play, Philippa.
16:46Yeah, absolutely.
16:47But once again, credit to Japan because what they've done there is compounded the confidence.
16:52They've just given themselves by scoring that try.
16:54Although it was chaotic, although they didn't get that much territory, they are forcing Wales to play their game.
16:59It may not be getting them that far off the pitch at the moment, but it means that Wales aren't
17:03playing their game.
17:04And that's what Japan are all about.
17:06Stop you.
17:06Get you into this frantic battle.
17:09And then they hope they come off the better.
17:11Wales need to take some control.
17:13Maybe that's putting the boot to ball, kicking downfield.
17:15Bring a bit more structure back into this.
17:18Thwellen takes the ball to the line.
17:19Costello out the back.
17:21Showing goal.
17:23Marshall by Riley.
17:25Sloppy at the back of a Welsh ruck.
17:27Eddie James.
17:29All physicality and a lovely offload to Adams.
17:37Whoa.
17:38Absolutely hammered at the gain line was James.
17:41Griffin.
17:44Lost the ball forward.
17:48Wasted opportunity for Wales from the James break.
17:53And what I'm also starting to see now from a bird's eye view on the field
17:56is a lot of hands on hips from the Welsh players.
17:59I don't think they were planning on playing this much intensity this early.
18:04What we're looking back now is that initial break from Sam Costello going on that arc and edge.
18:08Great to see Eddie James there with his hands on the ball now using that physicality.
18:13Nice and square.
18:13Here we go. Excellent. Excellent.
18:15Look. Let's go.
18:17Let's go, one up.
18:19Five handling errors for Wales so far.
18:23Yeah.
18:24It's indicative of a team playing at higher tempo, you think, Philippa, than they would have had in their game
18:29plan.
18:30Crouch.
18:32Japan now.
18:34Boys.
18:36Scrumming their own territory.
18:40Free kick.
18:40Close the gap here.
18:44New spice and balance.
18:46And this tempo won't bother the Japanese players at all, as you say, Philippa,
18:50but this is exactly what they're after.
18:52I've mentioned the Chosoku Rugby.
18:55This is how they train.
18:56This is how they play from high school onwards.
19:00Tempo, tempo, tempo.
19:03And usually in incredibly challenging conditions.
19:06You think about the humidity that they would normally face on their home ground.
19:10Everyone talks about South Africa and the altitude.
19:12Well, trust me, I've been to Tokyo, I've played in that humidity.
19:16Not only was it not good for my hair, it was terrible for my lungs.
19:20OK, please, Wales.
19:21Stay in here. Yep.
19:22Wales, of course, toured in July last year.
19:25Playing 35 degrees in Kobe.
19:31Incredibly difficult conditions.
19:33No such issue tonight.
19:36Crisp autumnal evening in the Welsh capital.
19:38Saito.
19:39A bit more control here from Thomas Williams.
19:47Well handled.
19:48By Ueda.
19:51Saito.
19:53It's the open side flanker, Shimokawa.
19:55Yeah, rip!
19:56He spills it now.
19:57He spills it now.
19:57He spills it now.
19:58Yeah, rip!
19:58He spills it now.
19:59Yeah, rip!
20:00He spills it now.
20:04Yeah, rip!
20:08He spills it now.
20:09Tries to find that testing kick, but the ball just won't sit up.
20:15Good field position.
20:19It's good field position, but that felt a bit forced to me.
20:22I would prefer to back the Welsh backs in trying to manipulate that defence to create a gap.
20:34It wasn't the most amount of space in there for that kick to go through, but still it does push
20:39Japan back, forcing them to try and exit.
20:48Moro Varada finds Derns.
20:50Not seen much of Derns in the loose yet.
21:05Not seen much of Derns in the loose yet.
21:12This is where most of the rugby's been played in the opening 19 minutes or so.
21:23Let's go!
21:35Go!
21:36Go!
21:36Go!
21:37Go!
21:37Go!
21:37Go!
21:44Go!
22:07Go!
22:07Go!
22:11Go!
22:11Go!
22:11Go!
22:11Go!
22:12Go!
22:12It's up inside!
22:15Morgan.
22:21Costello.
22:26There's Eddie James.
22:29Adams.
22:35There we Lake.
22:36Wales through the most phases so far in this game that they've been in.
22:41not making much progress, Nicky Smith again stopped behind the gain line.
22:47Thwell in.
22:51Tua thinks about going for the ball, leaves it alone.
22:54Williams, long ball to Reece Zamet, what can he conjure up in those magic boots of his?
23:04Wainwright.
23:10Sterlo pass a little behind him, looking for Josh Adams.
23:16Penalty in the end to Japan.
23:21Nick roll, White.
23:23Paul Williams heard in his ear of a neck roll.
23:27So that's got Japan off the hook.
23:29Josh Adams looked to be in acres of space over there on the far touchline.
23:32Yeah, that was a guaranteed try for Wales, wasn't it?
23:35Yeah.
23:36Unfortunately, neck roll at the ruck.
23:38Can we just look at...
23:39Just over there, where are you going?
23:41Yep.
23:42Blue 12 on White 10.
23:43Okay.
23:44Way we go.
23:45In this 20k mark.
23:48White, Blue 12.
23:50Blue 12 on White 10.
23:50Blue 12 on White 10, okay.
23:53My live view, nothing.
23:56Samet tries to juggle.
23:58Derry League just having a word with Paul Williams.
24:02We'll just go time off because he's right in the attacking passage here.
24:06Just go time off.
24:07I've heard your voice.
24:07Another break for Chuck Morgan to get a bit of treatment.
24:10I don't think so.
24:14Just that line-out time, there's been a lot of treatment as well.
24:17Just making sure we get those real clear transitions.
24:19Opening 20 minutes, Philippa.
24:20Has it played out more or less as you've expected?
24:22It feels as though a corner paddling, so...
24:24Well, as you mentioned, I've watched a lot of Welsh rugby this year
24:28and I've learnt now to not expect too much.
24:30Expect the unexpected.
24:32Look, they started brilliantly, didn't they?
24:33That's exactly how they want to play.
24:35That's what every fan wants them to do.
24:37Thanks, mate.
24:37Unfortunately, they did lose a bit of control.
24:39Perhaps some concentration.
24:41Quick turnover.
24:42The schools of Japan.
24:43And Japan have just pulled them into this disruptive, chaotic game.
24:48At the moment, Wales are struggling to find a way there.
24:51We're just seeing that neck roll there.
24:52Ben Carter cannot do that.
24:54Simple and easy for the referees to pull that one.
24:57Moments like that, they don't help.
24:59Good space here, guys.
25:00Hold there.
25:02Okay, time back on.
25:03But you know what?
25:03Sorry, in regards to expecting, this is exactly what I thought from Japan.
25:06Brilliant.
25:06Got an opportunity.
25:08Clinical.
25:08Hands on the edge.
25:09And forcing the team to play just really frantic rugby.
25:13There's Saito and Gunter in the midfield.
25:15It's a Samosoni Tua.
25:19Saito Cornelson.
25:23Saito again blinds Shimokawa.
25:30Here's Takeuchi.
25:32Gets through so much work.
25:34Shuhei Takeuchi.
25:37Kitahara to Gunter.
25:38Tua.
25:43Pick ball now, and Riley takes it to the line.
25:46Jisoo Lee, the youngster with the handling error.
25:50Lee Samet thinks about.
25:54Outside the 22.
25:55He's taking the ball outside of the 22, so Wales can't kick directly to touch.
26:01You're low.
26:02Both low on the tackle.
26:04And now.
26:04Staying on, please.
26:06Use it.
26:09Williams does indeed go for length.
26:18Japan will be frustrated.
26:20It's their first real foothold in the Welsh half.
26:26Line out, please.
26:27Brilliant exit from Thomas Williams there.
26:29Watch the front.
26:29I'd like you closing the step up.
26:29Really, really good.
26:31Boys.
26:32Boys.
26:33Let's go.
26:34I can't.
26:35I can't.
26:35I can't chatter every line out, eh?
26:39Dowie.
26:42Yeah.
26:42If you're going to take him off for blood, you can take him off for blood.
26:45Are you taking him off for blood?
26:49I saw it very clear to Dowie.
26:51And I communicated live that you're both going very low into the contact.
26:55Sometimes there will be head contact.
26:57It's not always going to be a foul play.
26:58So he's calling on the floor and went, yeah, fucks, I'll be my back.
27:01So, me.
27:01And you're both low in the tackle.
27:03That was my live read, okay?
27:04Why can't I do that on the field?
27:06Are you going to deal with it?
27:07If you can do it quickly, then yeah.
27:08I was going to deal with it.
27:09Sorry, just the way you were talking, I thought you wanted to take him off.
27:12Just give him a quick mop up, yeah.
27:14Dowie Lake in need of a quick stitch.
27:18That usually happens about two or three times a game to poor old Dowie.
27:21Put time back on.
27:23Puts his head.
27:23Into places I wouldn't put my feet.
27:26So, not totally surprising.
27:28But good comms from Paul Williams.
27:31Explaining that not every head contact will be a penalty.
27:39Harada to Derns.
27:43Shimokawa.
27:43Inside ball to Harada.
27:49Japan.
27:51Into that Welsh territory now.
27:55Saito.
27:59Kitahara.
28:00Riley.
28:01Slithers through.
28:03A couple of tackles.
28:05Lovely hands.
28:07From Takeuchi.
28:09Here's Lee.
28:13Inside ball to Kamimori.
28:19Kitahara puts the ball in the sky but there's no real chasers.
28:25So that's a pretty straightforward one for Blair Murray.
28:28And Riku Kitahara just ran out of ideas.
28:30Yeah, that was a really confusing kick.
28:33As soon as you put it up in the air, you look to see who's chasing it.
28:35Because that can give you an idea of the attacking setup.
28:37And no one seemed to know that that kick was going through.
28:40There was no centre on, you know, the outside shoulder.
28:43There was no winger high.
28:44So it was really an easy one for Wales to take and to clear their lines.
28:49Yeah, big day for Riku Kitahara.
28:52Just three years ago he was playing semi-pro rugby in Division 2.
28:56One of the Japanese rugby systems now making his debut in the Principality Stadium.
29:03Huge day for him.
29:05Only really doing so due to injury of Shinshin Lee and unavailability of Ryan Osuki Ito.
29:16Ben Gunter.
29:19Saito changing the point of attack.
29:22Samosone Tua keeps the ball alive.
29:27Derns.
29:28First time seeing the giant mop of hair.
29:32Gunter.
29:37Slower ball now for Japan.
29:41Harada.
29:47Kitahara to the sky again.
29:50This time with chasers.
29:51Dylan Riley in pursuit.
29:54Blair Murray able to offload.
29:56And some slack handling from Josh Adams.
30:00Paul Williams says it went backwards though.
30:03Keep coming, keep coming.
30:04San Costello into touch.
30:09And Wales clear their lines again.
30:16I feel like Wales are having to do that a lot at the moment aren't they?
30:19Clear their lines.
30:20Exit.
30:21Not the sort of dominance that Wales fans and certainly head coach there Steve Tandy would have been wanting.
30:29Yeah, a penny for the thoughts of the two head coaches after 26 and a half minutes.
30:34Eddie Jones may be slightly the happier of the two.
30:37Here's Ichida.
30:42Saito.
30:44Cornelsen trying to free the hands.
30:48Saito.
30:50Kitahara.
30:50Hawkins.
30:52Can I tackle?
30:53Go!
30:59Slowing the ball down.
31:01Sufficiently so far.
31:04Blair Murray.
31:05Thinks about going.
31:06Lovely footwork.
31:09Maurice Zamet.
31:13Finds grass.
31:14It's Kitahara.
31:18Asking him to put it in the air.
31:21Bit of a miscommunication.
31:22And now what can Blair Murray do with it?
31:25Wriggles through one tackle.
31:27Penalty advantage.
31:28No attempt to retreat.
31:32Wales now.
31:34With a free play.
31:35Costello lovely ball to Adams.
31:38And Eddie James.
31:39Jack Morgan.
31:41A two on one on the inside.
31:43He gave it too early.
31:46But Josh Adams scores.
31:51And that's the sort of rugby this Principality crowd came to see.
31:59A try from well over 50 metres out.
32:03And Josh Adams back on the score sheet for Wales.
32:08Lovely soft handling skills here.
32:11Rush forwards and backs mixing in.
32:13Timing at the pass from Eddie James there.
32:14Fixes that last player.
32:16Super Jack Morgan on the wing.
32:20Manages to link it up back inside.
32:21And that was key.
32:22The offload from the deck.
32:24If that didn't happen from Louis B. Samet, that try wouldn't have happened.
32:3028.
32:33No one would be more relieved than Jack Morgan that Josh Adams got over there.
32:40Does many things brilliantly but perhaps doesn't have the elite composure of a left winger.
32:47Costello adds the extras.
32:50Costello adds the extras.
32:51Wales 14 points to seven ahead.
32:57Brilliant attacking shape from Wales.
32:59Plenty of bodies.
33:00Lateral there ready for the pass.
33:02But this is the offload here.
33:04That fight.
33:05Louie Samet.
33:07Getting that offload away.
33:09Lovely little step back inside there from Josh Adams.
33:13Yeah, Adams the only member of the starting team that was released to his region last week.
33:21Struggling for a bit of game time.
33:24After injury.
33:26So he was released to play for Cardiff.
33:29And scored a try.
33:30Couple of tries in his last two weeks.
33:31Sharks and the Ospreys are now one against Japan.
33:35He's in good form.
33:38That's charged down by Derns.
33:40Such a big part of his game, Warner Derns.
33:43Nice communication in the backfield for Japan.
33:47Ueda does brilliantly to get out of it.
33:51Not normally a fullback, Ueda.
33:53Plays on the right wing for the Kobe Steelers.
33:56Riley shows and goes.
33:58Here comes the tempo again.
34:01Cornelson.
34:02Tacko!
34:06Saito, Harada, Takayuchi.
34:13Penalty advantage to Japan.
34:22Takeuchi.
34:24Hawkins.
34:27Saito again trying to go quickly.
34:30Archie Griffin, the lazy runner.
34:32Just timing, but you are offside.
34:35Go back for the penalty for not rolling away.
34:39Roughly the same place.
34:40Yeah.
34:41The pattern to their tempo carries seem to be one hard runner straight.
34:45Next one, Isra, was one offload.
34:47So it's one, as soon as the ball is released from the number nine,
34:51the first person carries it, goes hard and straight.
34:53Next time it comes, it's always a tip on.
34:55And that keeps the defence guessing.
34:57And they keep flip-flopping between those two each time.
35:04Kitehara is bitten off.
35:06All that he could handle there, right on the five-year line.
35:09Brilliant kick.
35:10Clear on numbers here, guys.
35:12Let him calm down.
35:14It's the second of the two infringements.
35:16On the line? Yeah, cool.
35:19Now here we go, Nomoru Harada.
35:23Just the second time all game that Japan have been in the 22.
35:30Gunter, already one score to his name.
35:34Hawkins.
35:36Picks and goes.
35:39Now time for the Japanese forwards.
35:43Trying to flex their muscles.
35:48Derns.
35:49A yard away, and Warner Derns has got it.
35:54A very difficult man to stop from a yard.
35:58And it's punch and counterpunch here at the Principality.
36:04Gosh, it certainly is, isn't it?
36:06Warner Derns captain there.
36:08That's his 14th try.
36:09Second highest try scorer for Japan.
36:11And for that reason, such a strong ball carrier.
36:15Takes the initial collision.
36:17The drive, the latch.
36:19And he's over.
36:25Yeah, driving through Dewey Lake.
36:27Not a very easy thing to do.
36:29But Warner Derns, a seriously world-class lock forward.
36:43Well, Ato Saito adds the extras.
36:47We are all square here, just after the half hour mark.
36:52Things not going to plan for Wales.
36:54They're certainly not.
36:56But from Japan's perspective, what they're doing is relatively simple.
36:59But it is being very effective.
37:03Simple carries one hard, one tip on, on repeat, at tempo.
37:08Gets them over the gain line and puts them into an attacking position.
37:11And when they're in there, they are clinical.
37:14Costello goes long to Lee.
37:19Cornelison.
37:23Okay, use it!
37:25Clearly on, guys.
37:28Chase up.
37:30Saito just through the hands of Daniel Jenkins.
37:34And there he is, big Warner Derns.
37:38Spent the season on loan with the Hurricanes.
37:42And was absolutely outstanding in leading them to a Super Rugby title.
37:49So much so that the New Zealand Rugby Union allegedly offered him to stay in New Zealand,
37:54stand down till 2028, and play for them.
37:58He chose to turn them down.
38:00Said Japan is the country he chose to play for,
38:03that gave him so much since moving there as a teenager.
38:07And you're forced to knock on at the back.
38:09So return to play for Brave Lupus this season.
38:12You're in the side and you've had an impact on the ball at the back.
38:14What an athlete, what a player he has been so far.
38:17Still only 24.
38:20Already with 38 caps for Japan.
38:23And now Wales.
38:24Yeah, yeah.
38:25I tried to call you out, but then there was an impact on the ball.
38:28Great kick from Costello.
38:33Just over five minutes to go.
38:36Here in the first half at the Principality.
38:40Look at those stats.
38:44Wales dominating most of the stats, but not the one that matters most.
38:4914 points all on the scoreboard.
38:55A mistake.
38:56Straight.
38:57Straight to your front man.
38:59It's a scrum.
39:00Derry Lake.
39:01It's not straight.
39:02A squint throw.
39:05It was thrown straight to the front man.
39:07It's a scrum.
39:08Japan doing well to contest.
39:11Bringing that law into play.
39:13What a mistake to make, Philippa.
39:15There we are.
39:15Absolutely huge.
39:17The driving line out of all has been the biggest threat really for Wales.
39:21They've scored the most amount of tries out of all of the nation championships teams from that method.
39:26Yeah.
39:26So to mess up your throwing like that and take away such a big weapon for yourself, that's really frustrating.
39:36Shuhei Takeuchi against Nicky Smith.
39:41One of the better loose head props in the Gallagher Prem.
39:44A couple of seasons now, playing with the South Sharks, Nicky Smith.
39:48Two!
39:49Stay up!
39:52No stability there.
39:54Paul Williams not happy.
39:56Just a bit too much movement there.
40:03Are we right?
40:10Time off.
40:11There is Shuhei Takeuchi.
40:13The Suntory Sun Goliath.
40:16One of the more important players in this Japanese team.
40:19Doesn't get a lot of the headlines, Takeuchi.
40:21Yeah, no stability, we'll have another one.
40:24What a brilliant tight head prop.
40:28Just to gain that message, hit and hold.
40:33Okay guys, water off, we'll go again.
40:35Reset now.
40:38Just under four minutes left in this first half.
40:41Same thing here, hit and hold in the middle, okay?
40:43Quite hard to stay stationary in the middle.
40:45Let's go boys!
40:51Autumn that just gets more and more difficult from a Welsh perspective.
40:56Time off.
40:58This tricky Japanese team.
41:01Today.
41:02And then they welcome none other than the All Blacks.
41:05Next weekend.
41:07And if their second half dismantling of Scotland's anything to go by.
41:11That could be an uphill battle.
41:13Australia finishes out there Autumn.
41:15But they're in a battle here against the battle-hardened Japanese.
41:25Slice off the boot of Riku Katahara.
41:29What a carry from Sam Asoni to a straight through Sam Costello.
41:34Katahara's had a mixed start to his international career.
41:38Just hold the space guys.
41:39Difficult thing to do, Philippa, coming in.
41:42Fresh.
41:43Wasn't in the squad in the summer.
41:47Lovely take from Alex Mann.
41:50And Lewis Ries Sammet off his wing, looking for work.
41:53So difficult to bring down, looking for the offload again, Ries Sammet.
41:58Williams.
41:59To Wainwright.
42:01Well met by Shimokawa.
42:03No, you're on the body.
42:06There's no lift at the ball for me.
42:08Here come the Welsh Bats, careering round the corner.
42:11Eddie James.
42:13Balls through, finds the offload, Lewis Ries Sammet!
42:22It had to be him.
42:26Lewis Ries Sammet in brilliant form for club and now for country.
42:34And that's the trial Wales needed just before the half-time break.
42:38Yeah, it certainly is.
42:39It's that physicality from Eddie James getting out of the first tackle.
42:43The support play from Blair Murray there for the offload.
42:47And then Josh out and that breaks the tackle, gets the offload in.
42:52Lewis Ries Sammet, that step off the right foot, so deadly.
42:56Been really impressed with Lewis Ries Sammet.
42:59He looks like one of the most physical players on this team.
43:02I think we should put him at number eight.
43:08One of this Welsh contingent applying his trade in the Gallagher Prem, of course, for the Bristol Bears.
43:16Sam Costello adds the extras and gets Wales back in front.
43:23He's got a brilliant score from Lewis Ries Sammet.
43:40He's got a brilliant score from Lewis Ries Sammet.
43:51Here he is again, slight knock-on from Morgan.
43:57And you can see every time Wales score this place just breathes a sigh of relief.
44:03There was a good 15 minutes in between both Welsh scores.
44:08And there is the man of the first half so far.
44:12Nine defenders beaten.
44:14Such an asset for this Welsh backline.
44:16Really good.
44:18Yeah, let's go guys.
44:19Come on.
44:20Yeah, it certainly is.
44:20And there's quite often been a discussion about him.
44:22Is he a winger?
44:23Is he a fullback?
44:24We saw him at fullback through the Six Nations.
44:26But I do think that was forcing it a bit.
44:28I really like him on the wing.
44:30That's where he plays his club rugby.
44:32He is excellent on the wing.
44:34Let's not try and force him to be saying he's not.
44:36Keep him on the wing.
44:37And Blair Murray coming into some great form as well.
44:39You've also got Tom Rogers.
44:40He's moved into fullback.
44:42He's coming through.
44:43So I think the wing is in his position.
44:48Saito now.
44:51Chisoo Lee.
44:52That's his game.
44:54Hard-carrying centre.
44:55Chisoo Lee.
44:56Derns!
44:57Finds the offload to his second-row partner, Hawkins.
45:04Short ball to Shimokawa.
45:05He's isolated.
45:07With Jack Morgan for company, but the ball is recycled.
45:10Samosoni Tua.
45:14Saito.
45:15Can Japan answer back?
45:17The clock is in the red.
45:21Takeuchi.
45:23No, don't push him, man.
45:26Tua.
45:27Into Thwellen.
45:32Harada.
45:33Into the five-metre line, the Japanese now.
45:37They go short.
45:39Desperate defence from Wales.
45:45Onside!
45:47This is now Japan's most phases in the game.
45:49neil?
45:49Hears!
45:51Come on, come on!
45:53Come on, Conorley!
45:55Steal from Nicky Smith.
45:57First man.
45:57referee Paul Williams happy with it.
46:00Hands away.
46:01What an intervention from the sales shark.
46:04Blair Murray will gratefully kick the ball off the field
46:10and send Wales into the sheds at half-time
46:1521 points to 14 ahead, a frantic 40 minutes
46:20Archie Griffin opened the score for Wales
46:24that man Ben Gunter equalised
46:27and then it was Ding and Dong, Josh Adams, Warner Derns and Lewis Rhys-Zammett with the crucial score
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