In a heart-stopping finale at the Principality Stadium, Jarrod Evans kicked a penalty with the game's final play to secure Wales a dramatic 24-23 victory over Japan, ending a dismal run of ten consecutive home Test defeats.
Historic Victory Ends Painful Streak
The win on Saturday 15th November 2025 marked new head coach Steve Tandy's first victory in charge and provided massive relief for Welsh rugby fans. More importantly, it secured Wales a top-12 seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, meaning they will avoid the tournament's heaviest hitters when the pool draw is made on December 3rd.
Wales had not won a Test match on home soil since defeating England in a World Cup warm-up back in August 2023. Japan came agonisingly close to extending that miserable sequence, but Tandy's squad showed tremendous character to overcome significant adversity.
Rollercoaster Encounter in Cardiff
The match turned dramatically just before half-time when Wales wing Josh Adams received a red card after making contact with the head of Japan's Kippei Ishida. Despite playing with 14 men for the entire second half, Wales fought back through tries from Dan Edwards, Louis Rees-Zammit and Nick Tompkins.
Louis Rees-Zammit's try came on his first Wales start since returning to rugby following his American football stint, with the wing providing a consistent attacking threat throughout the contest. Fly-half Dan Edwards contributed 9 points with the boot from three conversions.
Japan responded with tries from Kippei Ishida and Faulua Makisi, while fly-half Seungsin Lee kept the scoreboard ticking over with 13 points from three penalties and two conversions.
Dramatic Finale and World Cup Implications
As the clock ticked down, Japan held a narrow advantage and looked likely to record their biggest triumph since stunning South Africa at the 2015 World Cup. However, when Japan replacement Harry Hockings received a yellow card in the dying moments, Wales had one final opportunity.
Replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans held his nerve under immense pressure, slotting the penalty that broke Japanese hearts and sparked wild celebrations among the Welsh players and supporters.
The victory represents only Wales' second win in their last 21 Tests, providing a crucial confidence boost ahead of challenging fixtures against New Zealand and world champions South Africa in the coming fortnight.
