Japan rewrite history in 23-8 defeat of Wales
Victory over second-string Six Nations champions is Asian side’s first over a major nation in nearly 80 years of international competition
Japan made history yesterday when they beat Six Nations champions Wales 23-8 for their first victory over a major rugby nation in nearly 80 years of international competition.
Second-half tries from foreign-born players Craig Wing and Michael Broadhurst helped rewrite the record books for Japan against a depleted Wales, who were missing their head coach and 15 players because of the British & Irish Lions tour.
Despite the unfamiliar Welsh line-up, the result is a boost for the sport in Japan, the hosts of the 2019 World Cup, who have played in all seven editions of the tournament so far, but have won only once, against minnows Zimbabwe in 1991.
"I'm very proud of the team. They have created history today to become the first Japanese team to beat a top 10 team in the world," said Japan coach Eddie Jones. "Obviously Wales haven't the best 15 players, but today we played a very good game of test rugby and it's another step forward for the team."
Japan played their first international fixtures in the 1930s, and they first took on a Wales XV in Cardiff in 1973. In nine full tests with Wales, Japan have been on the wrong end of some giant scores including a 98-0 blowout in 2004.
However, steeled by last week's narrow 22-18 defeat, Japan edged the first half 6-3 thanks to the boot of fullback Ayumu Goromaru, and after a Welsh try on 44 minutes they hit back with two of their own before wrapping up a worthy win.
"I'm very happy to play the game in front of so many people. We were really unhappy last week in Osaka, so I really wanted to live up to their expectations," Japan's captain Toshiaki Hirose said.