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Wales they returned to winning ways WXV Global Series with a 17-0 win against Sakura Fifteen in Tokyo.
It was a low-scoring game as the weather took its toll on the session. Sean Lynn’s side had to wait at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium and tries from Seren Lockwood and Kelsey Jones proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Jones thought she had opened the scoring in the seventh minute, only for Jorj Aion’s position in the line to be called into question. It took more than half an hour for Lockwood to finally break the deadlock, as a clever exchange at the back of the line sent the scrum-half out from close range.
After the break, there was an extended delay as Freya Bell was treated for a serious knee injury. After becoming Wales’ main star this autumn, Bell’s absence meant Wales had to rally to see the game out.
It was around 30 minutes into the match after Lockwood’s try that Jones rumbled across the white on the back of a line drive.
To put the score beyond doubt, Wales sent on Lockwood again as a strong tackle allowed the side to extend the play to the youngster on the wing, who went through on one wing. Japan defender down.
These are the talking points from Tokyo…
Patience was everything
Let’s be honest, it wasn’t a classic in Tokyo. It took Wales until the 34th minute to open the scoring through Sereno Lockwood. It took the visitors another 30 minutes to get the second. It was hard to watch at times but Sean Lynn’s side found a way to get the job done.
A lot of it came down to patience and an innate belief that opportunities would come. Wales allowed Japan to have the ball for much of the first half and saw their influence on the game grow as the clock ticked down to 80 minutes.
Wales will play better matches than this. Of course they will. But right now, a win could mean the world to the Lynn team. After emerging from a miserable 13-month spell, another win over the line is a huge confidence boost.
Japan has made progress
In his first game as head coach, Japan boss Toshizumi Kitagawa watched Sakura Fifteen lose 15-12 to Fiji Fukuoka. It was an inauspicious start for the former Brave Blossoms lock, who led the side to Asian Women’s Rugby Championship title earlier this year as interim head coach.
Entering Saturday’s game, Japan was winless in the WXV Global Series. They enjoyed a good 20 minutes against Italy in Pordenone, as well as similar dominance spells against Ireland in consecutive games.
Whether it was partly due to the miserable conditions in Tokyo or not, things seemed to be very much even between Japan and Wales. So much so that only seven points separated the two teams at halftime.
What was most impressive about Sakura Fifteen was their work rate. A general statement, yes, but one that points to what could affect the team in the long run.
By the break, the top four ball carriers were all wearing white. The hosts enjoyed the vast majority of possession and worked through the phases. The efforts of Hinata Komaki, Masami Kawamura and Sophie Langford deserve special mention.
It’s a shame that their grip on the game weakened in the second half. Despite such a positive display in the first half, Japan were unable to maintain their momentum, allowing Wales to take control and secure victory.
Wales must double their fitness
When Wales opened their WXV Global Series campaign against South Africa, their physicality and relentlessness blew the Springbok Women out of the water. Against USA Women’s Eagles a week later, fire met fire at Cardiff Arms Park. The North Americans won that day.
Deprived of possession for large stretches of the game, it will come as no surprise that the Welsh players were the best forwards in the game. Of course, Alex Callender and Bryonie King were the best forwards – Callender made a game-best 20, King finished 17th.
Even so, that effort lacked the intensity of a month ago, especially in the first half, when individual mistakes by Japanese players kept the hosts away from the scoresheet.
Physicality can be the real point of difference for Wales. They have the personnel to dominate teams. Callender and Kate Williams are the best players in Premiership Women’s Rugby, while Branwen Metcalfe and Sisilia Tuipulotu also pack a punch.
Establishing that identity could also unlock the potential attack Wales demonstrated in Cardiff last month: an attack that tore opponents to shreds. We didn’t see that against Japan, and even with the win, Wales are certainly looking for more.
