Wales secured a 28-21 victory over Japan in the Nations Championship opener at Principality Stadium, but the performance raised more questions than answers. Despite the win, head coach Steve Tandy admitted his side fell short of expectations, and captain Dewi Lake conceded the team let themselves down at times.
A Win, But Not a Convincing One
The victory was Wales' fourth in 13 internationals under Tandy, yet the patchy display left much to be desired. With New Zealand and Australia looming in the coming weeks, Wales will need a significant step up in performance.
Wing Louis Rees-Zammit was the standout performer, delivering a player-of-the-match display that reminded fans of his world-class potential. He made five of Wales' 16 line-breaks, gained 121 metres, and beat 13 defenders. "There aren't many athletes that can come back from a different sport and get back to playing international rugby like he did so quickly," Tandy said. "By his own admission, Zam wants more. He wants to be one of the best wings in the world, if not the best."
Individual Brilliance Amid Team Struggles
While Rees-Zammit shone, the team struggled to find rhythm. Back-row duo Aaron Wainwright and Jac Morgan excelled in attack and defence, full-back Blair Murray was a constant threat, and wing Josh Adams scored two tries. Centre Eddie James showed glimpses of his power game in a new midfield partnership with Max Llewellyn.
However, Wales spent long periods defending, with only 40% territory and possession. They made 227 tackles compared to Japan's 115, with Morgan topping the charts with 24. The resolve was encouraging, but the malfunctioning line-out, which lost six throws, proved costly. Hookers Lake and Ryan Elias struggled against Japan's towering locks, disrupting Wales' potent driving maul.
Slow Starts and Costly Errors
Wales have been notoriously slow starters under Tandy, and this was no exception. Poor handling errors, indiscipline, and lapses in concentration allowed Japan to stay in the game. Fly-half Sam Costelow had a mixed evening, kicking away attacking ball at crucial moments. The debate over the number 10 jersey continues, with neither Costelow nor Dan Edwards nailing down the spot.
Tandy acknowledged the rustiness: "It does get clunky in your first hit out since the summer. It takes time to build that cohesion back." He remains optimistic, pointing to last year's Six Nations where Wales improved with each game.
All Blacks Challenge Awaits
Next up is New Zealand, a team that opened their campaign with an impressive win over Scotland. Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953, and unless there is a dramatic improvement, that 73-year losing streak is likely to continue. "It is a massive privilege to take on the All Blacks in our stadium," Tandy said. "We want to test ourselves against the best."
The attendance of 52,425 against Japan was 9,000 down on the corresponding fixture in 2025, raising concerns that fans are protesting against the Welsh Rugby Union's handling of the domestic game. How many turn up for the All Blacks will be telling.
For now, Wales have a win to build on, but the performance suggests they remain far from breaking into the world's top eight. Tandy's fourth campaign is underway, and the gap to the elite still looks wide.
