Japan

24 - 19

Full Time

Wales

Japan vs Wales

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Damian Schneider has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Shuntaro Kitamura comes on.

78'

Shinobu Fujiwara comes off.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Ichigo Nakakusu bursts through to advance the Japan attack.

75'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee has kicked a conversion.

70'

Try

Halatoa Vailea scores the try from close range.

69'

Wales make a substitution with Joe Roberts coming on.

67'

Wales make a substitution with Johnny Williams coming off.

67'

Wales make a substitution with Liam Belcher coming on.

67'

Wales make a substitution with Dewi Lake coming off.

67'

A gap opened in the defence and Halatoa Vailea took full advantage.

67'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Seungsin Lee kicks the penalty goal.

63'

The defensive line has been broken as Kippei Ishida goes through the gap.

61'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Seungsin Lee kicks the conversion.

59'

Try

Great hands by Japan leads to a try for Ichigo Nakakusu

58'

The defensive line has been broken as Ichigo Nakakusu goes through the gap.

58'

Seungsin Lee played a key part in that try.

58'

Ben Gunter comes on for Japan.

56'

Amato Fakatava leaves the field.

56'

Tommy Reffell comes on for Wales.

56'

Taulupe Faletau leaves the field.

56'

Aaron Wainwright comes on for Wales.

56'

Josh MacLeod leaves the field.

56'

Waisake Raratubua comes on for Japan.

55'

Epineri Uluiviti leaves the field.

55'

Halatoa Vailea comes on.

50'

Malo Tuitama comes off.

50'

Gareth Thomas comes on.

50'

Nicky Smith comes off.

50'

Wales decide to make a substitution, with Archie Griffin getting some game time.

49'

Wales decide to make a substitution, with Keiron Assiratti being replaced.

49'

Seungsin Lee makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

48'

Shogo Nakano makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

47'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Sam Costelow will have to re-adjust the radar.

36'

Sam Costelow takes the conversion but it hits the upright and bounces away, kick unsuccessful.

22'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Wales is finished off by Tom Rogers

21'

That's a great try assist by Johnny Williams.

21'

This is dangerous for the defence as Sam Costelow bursts through to advance the Wales attack.

21'

The referee has had enough, awarding the penalty try to Wales.

19'

Yellow Card

Ichigo Nakakusu (Japan) is shown a yellow card

19'

Japan make a substitution with Ichigo Nakakusu coming on.

18'

Japan make a substitution with Takuro Matsunaga coming off.

18'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee converts the try.

16'

Try

A series of passes by Japan results in a try for Takuro Matsunaga

15'

Spellbinding play by Kippei Ishida is finished off with a try.

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Kippei Ishida took full advantage.

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Blair Murray took full advantage.

Conversion

Sam Costelow has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Wales leads to a try for Ben Thomas

Taulupe Faletau sets up the try.

The defensive line has been broken as Dewi Lake goes through the gap.

James Ratti comes on.

Ben Carter comes off.

We are underway as the referee Damian Schneider blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Japan v Wales 
  
 Fri 4th July 2025, 10:00pm PDT 
  
 Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu 
  
 Damian Schneider

Points Flow Chart

Japan win +5

Time in lead

Mins in lead

15%

% Of Game In Lead

80%

64%

Possession Last 10 min

36%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Lee

24 - 19

70'

Vailea

22 - 19

69'

Lee

17 - 19

63'

Lee

14 - 19

59'

Nakakusu

12 - 19

58'

Half Time

Rogers

21'

7 - 19

Penalty Try

19'

7 - 14

Nakakusu

7 - 7

19'

Lee

7 - 7

16'

Matsunaga

5 - 7

15'

Costelow

0 - 7

Thomas

0 - 5

Start

Win Probability

Japan

24%

Draw

Wales

75%

Ruck-Won by Waisake Raratubua

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.4

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.1

Entries

Attack Profile

Japan

Wales

More Less

Defence Profile

Japan

Wales

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

58%

56%

3-6 secs

37%

25%

6+ secs

19%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

52'

56'

60'

61'

68'

Japan

Wales

Japan vs Wales Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Japan face off against Wales in Internationals on Fri 4th July 2025 at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:00 and is broadcast on BBC. In South Africa it’s at 07:00 SAST, 17:00 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 15:00 AEST in Australia and 22:00 EST in the US.

Wales won the last encounter but both teams are in the same form for their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 places in the rankings with Wales in position 11 and Japan in position 12, underlining just how tight this match could be.

Japan vs Wales Squads

The official squads for Japan vs Wales will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.