Japan player ratings: Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms came to Cardiff with the intention of getting a not inconsiderable Nations Championship scalp on the way, with Wales still in the reconstruction phase. Japan were barely off the bus before conceding and Wales went over after just four minutes, but they gradually found a foothold in the contest thanks to a mostly abrasive Ben Gunter.
Japan were consistently guilty of pushing the ball wide without first earning the right to go there, rarely making significant gains through the middle or seriously troubling the Welsh backline. Meanwhile, their tackling was simply too poor for this level, a known pain in this side. The fact that this ended as a one-try game 28-21 was a credit to Japan’s tenacity and, arguably, a mild indictment of Wales.
1. Yota Kamimori – 5.5
172 cm, 105 kg Kubota Spears loosehead fared better against Archie Griffin than Takekuchi across from him on the flank against Nicky Smith. He’s not flawless though and has given away a few costly penalties. He competed gamely, but spent too many nights retreating instead of advancing.
2. Mamoru Harada – 6.5
They can’t stop Griffin crashing over for Wales’ opening try after four minutes. He responded with one of Japan’s best moments of the first half, a wonderful route-first shot from around 15 meters before connecting with support. He also missed a tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit later in the half. A mixed but busy whore date.
3. Shuhei Takeuchi – 5
I had a tough night against Nicky Smith. The 120kg Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath prop was under pressure during the scrum for long periods and Wales looked to be targeting him. One or two better moments later, but overall second best in frontline combat.
4. Harry Hockings – 8
The 6ft 10in lock was out to prove he was more than height for hire and mostly succeeded. Carried willingly, even if he was sent backwards a few times, he pinched the line ball, made a great change in the 58th minute and emptied the tank. He and Dearns really disrupted the Wales line as well.
5. Warner Dearns – 8
Japan’s best striker. A constant line option, charged by a Welsh shot on 29 minutes and turned over soon after after a series of close-range pick-and-gos. He also meshed well with Hockings and even showed soft hands in midfield. Led by example.
6. Ben Gunter – 8
The extraordinary Japanese carrier and the man who kept them alive. He produced a huge jackal after Saito’s shot from the box threatened disaster, then finished brilliantly from 20 yards after a loose ball opportunity. Strong in contact all evening. Like almost everyone else, he failed in a few attempts, but his positives greatly outweighed the negatives.
7. Kanji Shimokawa – 5
One of those nights where the effort was evident but the execution was not. Was dispossessed in the 17th minute and looked vulnerable in defence. Lots of effort, but just a little too messy, which condensed large chunks of the Japanese game.
8. Jack Cornelsen – 6.5
Lots of honest cashing in from Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights No.8 without necessarily making a big impact on the proceedings. He won a useful formation on 46 minutes and worked hard around the park. His biggest moment came when he was penalized for holding a meter from the Welsh line. Big miss.
9. Naoto Saito – 7
Both excellent and scattergun, often within minutes of each other. I saw an early shot from the box attack despite Japan using the track, but Gunter saved it. He produced an elegant shot and occasionally sharp game management. Defensively though, his offense bordered on bin juice level and Eddie James absolutely flattened him for Rees-Zammit’s score.
10. Riku Kitahara – 7
An unforgettable debut of the former Honda Heat playmaker. He showed some really nice moves early on, defended well to stop Aaron Wainwright when a try looked likely and generally didn’t look overmatched. A solid first cap and one Japan to build from.
11. Inoke Burua – N/A
Steelers winger Kobe fell asleep after just eight minutes, giving him little chance to make an impact.
12. Samison Tua – 7
At his best, he looked Japan’s most efficient back. He made a huge exit late in the first half and crossed the line multiple times. The issue was defense. He missed the tackle in the build-up to Josh Adams’ score and Rees-Zammit put it in for another. Excellent in attack, porous at moments without the ball.
13. Dylan Riley – 6.5
Certainly tried to inject some punch. He had a few moments but never found a way through the Welsh defense as Japan’s attack fell increasingly into the brain rotting, lateral passing phases.
14. Kippei Ishida – 5
He started with a dunk, then almost immediately missed a one-on-one matchup. To his credit, he was constantly looking for work and making meters whenever space appeared. The problem was his defense. You have to admire the amount of tackles he attempts, but missing about one in three at Test level is simply not acceptable.
15. Kazuma Ueda – 8.5
Japan’s best offensive weapon. The former star of the week constantly put questions to the Welsh defence, dissecting them for 46 minutes and beating an astonishing eight defenders. He added a respectable game and was one of the few guests who could create genuine suspense whenever he touched the ball.
Substitutions – 7
A mixed bag. Jisu Lee had some tough moments, including being dispossessed and toilet papered in defense on Rees-Zammit’s try. The impressive Kenji Sato, Sojiro Otsuka, Michael Stolberg, Tiennan Costley and Shinya Komura did enough. Opeti Helu was also excellent when he came on and was a big part of Kenta Fukuda’s late try which was a nervy finish for Wales.
