Dramatic Final Kick Ends Wales' Home Misery
Wales have finally ended their record-breaking run of ten consecutive home Test defeats in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. A last-gasp penalty from replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans secured a nail-biting 24-23 victory over a spirited Japan team at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, 15 November 2025.
The win provides new head coach Steve Tandy with his first victory at the helm and could not have come at a more crucial time. More importantly, it ensures Wales will be among the top 12 seeds for the 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw on 3 December, allowing them to avoid the tournament's heaviest hitters in the initial stages.
A Test of Character and Nerves
The match was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Wales started brightly, with fly-half Dan Edwards crossing for a try after just six minutes, which he also converted. Japan responded through wing Kippei Ishida, and the teams went into halftime locked at 7-7.
The home side's task was made significantly harder just before the interval when wing Josh Adams was shown a red card for a high tackle, forcing Wales to play the entire third quarter a man down. Despite this setback, Louis Rees-Zammit, on his first start since returning from American football, scored a try to lift Welsh spirits. Centre Nick Tompkins also crossed the line after coming off the bench.
Japan, however, refused to go away. The boot of their fly-half Seungsin Lee, who amassed 13 points from three penalties and two conversions, along with a try from number eight Faulua Makisi, kept them in front as the game entered its dying moments.
Evans Steps Up to Secure Vital Win
With time almost up and Wales trailing, a third yellow card for Japan, shown to replacement Harry Hockings, presented one final opportunity. Up stepped Jarrod Evans, who held his nerve under immense pressure to slot the match-winning penalty with the very last kick of the game.
The victory marks only Wales' second win in their last 21 Tests, providing a much-needed morale boost ahead of daunting fixtures against New Zealand and world champions South Africa in the coming weeks. For Eddie Jones' Japan, it was a heartbreaking end after they came so close to a famous victory reminiscent of their 2015 World Cup upset against South Africa.
