Sloppy Wales scrape past Japan 28-21 and show return to top tier of rugby is wishful thinking… world class Louis Rees-Zammit was the only shining light, writes ALEX BYWATER

Less than 24 hours after Mike Skinner of The Streets took to the stage in Cardiff, it was supposed to be so easy for Wales to brush aside Eddie Jones’ poor Japan.

Steve Tandy’s side did just enough to stay positive, though another unconvincing win over the Brave Blossoms was further confirmation that Welsh hopes of returning to international rugby’s top tier remain wishful at best. 

A year on from having to rely on a last-gasp penalty to succeed in the same fixture, Tandy’s side huffed and puffed. On this evidence, the basics of their game – such as defence, ball retention and set-piece – still require significant work.

This was No10 against No12 in the world and it looked like it. Wales – for whom Louis Rees-Zammit was outstanding – should have won far more comfortably. But they were held back by seven handling errors in the first quarter and a struggling line-out. 

The way Japan made ground on the occasions they had significant possession was also a big concern with New Zealand next. Wales have had some of PREM Rugby’s best performers this season. But here, they were not the sum of their individual potential. 

‘Scoring for Wales means everything to me. But as long as Wales win, that’s the most important thing,’ said star man Rees-Zammit. ‘Today wasn’t perfect but it’s definitely something to build on going into the next two games.’ 

Wales coach Tandy was honest in his verdict. ‘It’s good to start the campaign with a positive result, but I can’t run away from the performance,’ he said. ‘There are definitely elements to improve. I thought we’d be a lot better than that. We’ll definitely enjoy it as winning isn’t something we have done a lot of. This team is building. 

‘They’re hungry to get better quicker. But it takes time. We could have made Japan work a bit harder.’ 

There were Welsh positives. Victories have been in short supply in this World Cup cycle and this was one. Wing Rees-Zammit was in a different class to the rest, scoring a try and providing a constant bright spark for his team. 

The giant centre pairing of Max Llewellyn and Eddie James showed some promise and Josh Adams proved he still has signs of life with a brace. The hosts scored three first-half tries.

Rees-Zammit got a crowd of 50,425 off their feet instantly with a clean break and never let his standards slip from that high standard. ‘Louis wants to be one of the best wings in the world. He’s gone up a level,’ said Tandy. ‘The best teams have players who can create something out of nothing.’

Archie Griffin, Adams and Rees-Zammit all crossed, though Wales’ concession of tries to Ben Gunter and Warner Dearns was all too easy. The second half was of poor quality.

Wales were once a team capable of beating the very best. Sadly, they are now Test also-rans. 

‘There were massive parts of that game we let ourselves down on,’ said Wales captain Dewi Lake, bloodied and sporting stitches in his forehead. ‘Stop kicking the f****** ball,’ shouted one fan near the press box after the break, as the frustration grew at Wales’ inability to pull clear. 

Adams’ second after Blair Murray countered saw them home, but it was a good job he did so as Wales conceded again before the end. Japan boss Jones will return to Twickenham to take on his old team England next week. 

He felt his team did not get the ‘rub of the green’ from referee Paul Williams. ‘That could have been a historic win for us. But you’ve got to be good enough to make the most of the opportunities given to you and we weren’t,’ Jones said.

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