Wales player ratings vs Japan | Nations Championship 2026

Wales player ratings: Wales secured their second win of the 2026 Nations Championship with a 28-21 victory over Japan in a contest that could have turned sour without decisive contributions from several key players.

Jac Morgan, Nicky Smith and Alex Mann all landed crucial jackals as the Brave Blossoms edged close to the try line, while Louis Rees-Zammit delivered one of his best performances since returning to rugby union.

1. Nicky Smith – 8.5
Most won’t remember it in a few days, but Nicky Smith’s turnover just a metre from his try area was as crucial as any try scored this evening, with the prop identifying the right moment to stop his team from going level at half-time. Stellar work at scrum time with his front-row partners, Smith was a voracious force of nature, taking the fight to Japan.

2. Dewi Lake – 7
Missed the mark at three lineouts, but his determination and leadership were again decisive in keeping Wales afloat when Japan were looking to control the game. Battled hard at the ruck and breakdown and, despite being penalised twice for slowing the ball down, rescued his side with a sensational jackal just metres from his own try line.

3. Archie Griffin – 8
Crashed over the line to put Wales ahead and scrummaged well. Conceded a penalty in the opening 20 minutes but quickly bounced back, putting his body to good use and winning the gain line with all four carries.

4. Dafydd Jenkins – 7
Made 14 successful tackles, two of which denied Japan from breaking the line, and guided the driving maul from the front while aiding Welsh runners whenever he could.

5. Ben Carter – 7
Ben Carter was an immovable object for Japan, holding up two opposition players when they looked to take advantage. Great effort in the ruck battle, pressuring the Brave Blossoms’ attack well.

6. Alex Mann – 8
One of the most underrated operators in the Welsh squad, Alex Mann was pivotal for Wales throughout the contest, not only by stopping a few Japanese sprints in their tracks but also by initiating a few cunning plays from the lineout.

7. Jac Morgan – 8.5
At times it looked like Wales were playing with two Jac Morgans, as the flanker kept getting up quickly to rejoin the fray and help his side however he could. Morgan’s positive aggression energised the Welsh defence whenever Japan threatened inside the 22, and the flanker was quick to sweep up any mistakes his team-mates made. Finished as the match’s leading tackler with 20, further underlining his reputation as one of the game’s finest enforcers.

8. Aaron Wainwright – 6.5
On the few occasions he found space, Wainwright carried like a wrecking ball, brushing off tacklers and giving Wales a stronger attacking platform. However, those moments were the exception rather than the rule, as the No. 8 looked slower than his fellow back-rowers. Precise in his tackling attempts.

9. Tomos Williams – 6
Seemed disconnected at times, particularly when forced to rush to the ruck, losing possession twice at crucial moments, including one that led to Japan scoring their second try. Looked a bit sluggish in injecting speed into the phases, especially when Wales were close to the try line. One of the few positives was his kicking game from the ruck, which pressured the opposition well.

10. Sam Costelow – 7
Costelow’s partnership with Tomos Williams wasn’t at its best, but the fly-half still fed good ball to his backline and combined well with Blair Murray. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get more involved as a carrying option, as Japan closed down the channels around him and forced the Welsh fly-half to resort to long passes and cross-kicks to keep the attack alive.

11. Josh Adams – 6.5
Could’ve done more in the build-up to Japan’s inaugural try, but bounced back immediately to help Wales earn a 28-21 win with two finishes of his own. Showed up when it most mattered, giving life to the hosts when Japan were edging closer to a comeback. However, he ended the game on a sour note, as Japan hooker Kenji Sato easily sidestepped him to help set up Japan’s third try.

12. Max Llewellyn – 7
Was focused primarily on linking with Blair Murray and defending the middle channel, with few opportunities to shine individually. Although his performance was not spectacular, he remained a key cog in Wales’ win.

13. Eddie James – 8
Brutal. There’s no better word to describe Eddie James’ performance. The Welsh centre was a formidable weapon of destruction, bouncing defenders off and setting up several key plays to help his side find the whitewash. Made some of the game’s best tackles, pouring every ounce of his body into the contest.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit – 10
Back to his best. Produced a brilliant sprint from his own 22, evading tackles left and right in a play that ended with Wales celebrating their opening try, before offloading for Josh Adams to score his side’s second. From sensational 60-metre kicks to finishing a try of his own, Rees-Zammit posed a threat Japan could not contain and was a deserving player of the match.

15. Blair Murray – 8
Dangerous when Japan least expected it, Blair Murray worked like a cork when the Welsh dam seemed about to burst. Controlled the game well from the back, recycling Japan’s long kicks while trying to assist Josh Adams on the wing. Was crucial in unlocking his side’s fourth try, finding space out wide before passing to Jac Morgan.

REPLACEMENTS – 6
Rhys Carré and Teddy Williams stepped into the fray with the right dynamism, giving Wales a much-needed boost, especially when Japan put heavy pressure on to level the game. James Botham came on a little too late, as the flanker might have added a different dimension to the back row.