Jarrod Evans nailed a last-second penalty to hand Wales a dramatic 24–23 victory over Japan and secure their first home win in more than two years.
Japan looked poised for a historic first triumph in Cardiff, leading deep into stoppage time before a lapse in discipline handed Wales one final chance. From outside the 22 and tight to the left touchline, Evans — on as a replacement — struck the winning kick as the Principality Stadium held its breath.
New Wales coach Steve Tandy couldn’t bring himself to watch, standing in the hallway behind the coaches’ box until the crowd’s roar told him the result. The kick snapped Wales’ 10-match home losing streak, a run stretching back to August 2023. It also followed Wales’ drought-breaking win over Japan in Kobe in July, which ended an 18-test slide.
The match itself was a breathless, end-to-end contest featuring six lead changes in the second half, and it carried added weight with next month’s 2027 Rugby World Cup draw looming. Wales will stay at No. 12 in the world rankings and Japan at No. 13, leaving Japan likely to land a tougher pool featuring two tier-one giants.
For Wales, the result is a relief but also a reminder of how far standards have slipped; they had won all five previous home meetings with Japan by an average of 50 points.
Dan Edwards opened the scoring by converting his own try, with Kippei Ishida responding for Japan. Wales then failed to capitalise on yellow cards to Japan forwards Epineri Uluiviti and Faulua Makisi, and found themselves down a man when Josh Adams’ yellow card for a dangerous hit was upgraded to a 20-minute red.
Seungsin Lee nudged Japan ahead early in the second half before Louis Rees-Zammit, in his first start since the 2023 World Cup, touched down for his 15th test try. Makisi hit back for Japan, then Nick Tompkins restored Wales’ lead moments after coming on.
Lee’s third penalty put Japan in front once more, but a chaotic finish undid their efforts. A yellow card for debutant lock Harry Hockings gave Wales attacking territory, and a no-arms tackle moments later presented Evans with the game-winning shot — one he made count.
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