Japan 24 - 19 Wales

Full time

05 Jul 2025

International Friendlies

Stage: Regular Season Round 1

Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu

Japan vs Wales head to head

🎉 3

👏 1

💩 1

😭 2

Japan secured a hard-fought victory against Wales with a final score of 24-19. Wales took an early lead with a try from Thomas, converted by Costelow, putting them ahead 7-0. Japan responded quickly with a try from Matsunaga, followed by a conversion from Lee, leveling the game. A yellow card for Nakakusu resulted in a penalty try for Wales, allowing them to regain the lead. However, Japan capitalized on their opportunities, with Nakakusu scoring a try upon his return and Vailea adding another shortly after. Lee's kicking kept Japan ahead, ultimately sealing their win as Wales struggled to respond in the final minutes. This match showcased Japan's resilience and tactical prowess against a competitive Welsh side.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: New Zealand, United Kingdom

Weather

Temperature: 31.7°C (Feels like 32.7°C) Condition: MostlyClear Wind: 19.2 km/h, gusting to 40.7 km/h Humidity: 64% Cloud Cover: 17%

Events

Kickoff
0'

Substitution

James Ratti on for Ben Carter · Wales
3'

Try

Ben Thomas · Wales

0 - 5
4'

Conversion

Sam Costelow · Wales

0 - 7
15'

Try

Takuro Matsunaga · Japan

5 - 7
16'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee · Japan

7 - 7
18'

Substitution

Ichigo Nakakusu on for Takuro Matsunaga · Japan
19'

Yellow Card

Ichigo Nakakusu · Japan
19'

Penalty Try

No Player · Wales

7 - 14
21'

Try

Tom Rogers · Wales

7 - 19
29'

Yellow Card Complete

Ichigo Nakakusu · Japan
36'

Missed Drop Goal

Sam Costelow · Wales
Halftime 7 - 19
Second Half
49'

Substitution

Archie Griffin on for Keiron Assiratti · Wales
50'

Substitution

Gareth Thomas on for Nicky Smith · Wales
50'

Substitution

Halatoa Vailea on for Malo Tuitama · Japan
55'

Substitution

Waisake Raratubua on for Epineri Uluiviti · Japan
56'

Substitution

Aaron Wainwright on for Josh MacLeod · Wales
56'

Substitution

Tommy Reffell on for Taulupe Faletau · Wales
56'

Substitution

Ben Gunter on for Amato Fakatava · Japan
58'

Try

Ichigo Nakakusu · Japan

12 - 19
59'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee · Japan

14 - 19
63'

Penalty

Seungsin Lee · Japan

17 - 19
67'

Substitution

Liam Belcher on for Dewi Lake · Wales
67'

Substitution

Joe Roberts on for Johnny Williams · Wales
69'

Try

Halatoa Vailea · Japan

22 - 19
70'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee · Japan

24 - 19
78'

Substitution

Shuntaro Kitamura on for Shinobu Fujiwara · Japan
Fulltime 24 - 19

Player ratings

Japan

15 Takuro Matsunaga 6.8
14 Kippei Ishida 7.4
13 Dylan Riley 5.9
12 Shogo Nakano 7.3
11 Malo Tuitama 5.8
10 Seungsin Lee 7.6
9 Shinobu Fujiwara 6.0
1 Yota Kamimori 7.2
2 Mamoru Harada 6.9
3 Shuhei Takeuchi 6.4
4 Epineri Uluiviti 6.5
5 Warner Dearns 6.7
6 Michael Leitch 7.3
7 Jack Cornelsen 6.4
8 Amato Fakatava 7.1
16 Hayate Era –
17 Sena Kimura –
18 Keijiro Tamefusa –
19 Waisake Raratubua 6.2
20 Ben Gunter 6.6
21 Shuntaro Kitamura –
22 Ichigo Nakakusu 6.3
23 Halatoa Vailea 7.5

Wales

15 Blair Murray 6.8
14 Tom Rogers 6.6
13 Johnny Williams 6.1
12 Ben Thomas 8.0
11 Josh Adams 6.2
10 Sam Costelow 6.6
9 Kieran Hardy 5.7
1 Nicky Smith 6.1
2 Dewi Lake 7.9
3 Keiron Assiratti 5.2
4 Ben Carter –
5 Teddy Williams 6.1
6 Alex Mann 5.9
7 Josh MacLeod 5.3
8 Taulupe Faletau 6.9
16 Liam Belcher 5.9
17 Gareth Thomas 5.8
18 Archie Griffin 6.0
19 James Ratti 7.1
20 Aaron Wainwright 5.5
21 Tommy Reffell 6.1
22 Rhodri Williams –
23 Joe Roberts 5.7