Wales labour to bonus-point win against Japan

Wales beat Japan 24-23 in Cardiff to secure a bonus point in their Nations Championship campaign, but an error-strewn performance left them with plenty to address. The result gives head coach Steve Tandy his fourth win in 13 internationals and keeps Wales fifth in the northern hemisphere table.

Archie Griffin, Josh Adams, who scored twice, and Louis Rees-Zammit crossed for Wales, with Sam Costelow and Rhys Edwards adding conversions. Japan’s tries came from Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns and Kenta Fukuda; Naoto Saito and Komura supplied the conversions. Wales led 21-14 at half-time, but Japan’s late score earned them a losing bonus point. Wales lost six line-outs and made repeated handling errors, while 52,425 watched at the Principality Stadium. Wales face New Zealand next Saturday; Japan next play England and Scotland.