**Emotional Wales Captain Defiant as Coaches Reject Heat Excuse After Shock Defeat to Japan**
In a scorching Test match that reached an emotional crescendo, Wales’ rugby team suffered a heart-breaking 18th consecutive defeat, falling to a late comeback by Japan in Kitakyushu. The result saw the Welsh squad slip to 14th in the world rankings, marking another setback on what has already been a challenging tour.
Captain Dewi Lake, struggling visibly with the weight of the loss, was on the brink of tears as the final whistle blew. Wales had established a commanding 19-7 advantage by half-time, courtesy of tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, alongside a penalty try, sparking hope of a long-awaited victory. Yet, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second period.
The Japanese side, led by coach Eddie Jones and featuring a mostly inexperienced line-up, capitalised on Wales’ faltering form after the interval. Despite soaring temperatures, interim head coach Matt Sherratt stressed that the intense heat was not to blame for the side’s second-half decline. Speaking after the match, he emphasised the players’ passion and character, while admitting to deep disappointment over letting a promising position slip away.
“The whole staff and squad are feeling this loss acutely,” Sherratt remarked. “We held a solid lead at the break, so losing in that fashion stings. Nonetheless, with a challenging tour schedule, we have the chance to respond next week, and that’s what we’ll focus on.”
Conditions in Kitakyushu were taxing, prompting cooling breaks during play and a longer interval at half-time. Despite this, Sherratt was clear in his refusal to use the environment as an excuse, stressing that Wales created opportunities but simply failed to capitalise when it mattered most.
“I’d only be making excuses if I blamed the weather,” he explained. “Throughout the first half, we made the most of almost every opportunity in Japan’s 22, and penalties were going our way. But after half-time, the momentum began to shift—key lineouts were lost, and crucial referee decisions didn’t favour us. While the weather was challenging, my instinct is that wasn’t the deciding factor.”
In a candid self-assessment, Sherratt highlighted the fragility of a young Welsh team still seeking to rebuild confidence following months without a victory. “We have a lot of new faces, and the scars of recent results run deep,” he said. “As the second half wore on, every bounce seemed to go against us. Moments like these can test even the most seasoned sides.”
Captain Dewi Lake, meanwhile, echoed the collective frustration and resilience within the camp. Poignantly summing up the mood, he insisted that Wales would look inward to address their shortcomings ahead of the next Test in Kobe. “The whole squad is gutted,” Lake admitted. “We worked incredibly hard leading into this game, and while credit must go to Japan for their fighting spirit, we had enough chances to finish them off. That’s the bitterest pill to swallow.”
Both Sherratt and Lake were united in their refusal to dwell on external factors. Instead, they expressed determination to use the pain of this defeat as motivation to turn things around in the remaining matches on tour. The focus now shifts to Kobe, where the Welsh players hope to halt their losing streak and restore a sense of pride.
This latest setback continues a difficult chapter for Welsh rugby, with growing scrutiny over the team’s progress and direction following successive losses. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if lessons are learned and whether this tour, despite its setbacks, might serve as a turning point for a side striving to rediscover its form on the international stage.
Ultimately, while the heat in Kitakyushu played its part, the Welsh squad and coaches appear determined to take accountability, vowing to learn from their mistakes and push forward. As one chapter closes with disappointment, a new one beckons with the hope of redemption on Japanese soil.