It was a disappointing result for Wales who produced an improved performance but failed to take their chances at key moments.Â
Second half tries from Craig Wing and Michael Broadhurst proved to be decisive for Japan, full back Ayumu Goromaru kicking the rest of their points.
Tom Prydie was Wales’ try scorer, Dan Biggar adding a penalty, but it was the home side who managed the game better, especially in the second half, to secure the victory.
Wales had played some nice stuff before half time but turned around 6-3 behind, Goromaru kicking two penalties to one from Biggar.
And although Prydie put Wales into the lead at the start of the second half, Japan came roaring back, ensuring the Chichibunomiya Stadium went wild at the final whistle.
Despite Biggar pushing a first minute penalty wide, Wales had started well as they dominated territory. It was open stuff, early Welsh highlights including a break from Harry Robinson and a Lou Reed charge down of a Harumichi Tatekawa clearance.
An early score failed to arrive though and from their first visit into the Wales half, it was the home side who took the lead. Welsh prop Rhys Gill was penalised by referee Greg Garner at a ruck and Goromaru, whose missed kicks cost Japan dearly in the first Test, made no mistake to give his side a 3-0 lead.
Wales’ deficit was undeserved, Robin McBryde’s side moving the ball well overall. After a rusty first half in Osaka last weekend, Wales were much improved, their back row of Josh Navidi, James King and Andries Pretorius offering the side balance.
Biggar then deservedly levelled things up with a 21st minute penalty, before McBryde was forced into his first change of the day. A blow to the head for Owen Williams saw the Cardiff Blues centre forced off and replaced by his regional teammate Rhys Patchell. And moments after coming on, Patchell came close to scoring on two occasions.
A superb inside ball from Biggar found the ever dangerous Robinson, the Wales wing breaking clear to just short of the Japan line. Sadly, when he tried to offload to the supporting Patchell, the ball was knocked on. A similar outcome occurred just minutes later but these were promising signs for Wales, their ability to stretch the Japan defence a significant positive.
For all their ball though, Wales had failed to put points on the board, something which would have worried McBryde. And when Goromaru kicked his second penalty five minutes before the break, Japan led 6-3.
Trailing at half time, Wales would have been disappointed, especially given the amount of chances they had created. But at the start of the second period, a first try finally arrived, Patchell and Biggar combining in midfield to put Prydie away in the corner.
Biggar missed the conversion but Wales, ahead by two, were now looking to push on. Japan refused to go away though and were soon back in the lead, centre Wing going over for their opening score of the day. Goromaru converted and all of a sudden, the momentum was with the home side.
It soon got even better for the Brave Blossoms. Backed by a vociferous Tokyo crowd, the home side weren’t going to waste a significant overlap and with a number of men out wide, Broadhurst collected to dive over. Goromaru again converted and at 20-8 down on the hour mark, Wales were up against it.
McBryde introduced a series of replacements but there was no immediate response. Patchell went closest as he pounced on Biggar’s grubber kick through but Garner decided he had failed to ground the ball and with no TMO available, the chance was lost.
After that, a young Wales side failed to create any other opportunities as the Japanese forwards stepped up impressively.
And when Goromaru added a third penalty almost on the final whistle, he ensured the two-Test series ended one apiece. Â
