Nations Championship - Wales 28-21 Japan: Josh Adams scores twice as Steve Tandy's side outlast visitors despite nervy finish

Josh Adams scored twice as Wales survived a nervy finish to outlast Japan 28-21 at the Principality Stadium.

Eddie Jones' side, who were looking for their first away win against Wales, were impressive, matching the hosts' physicality in the first-half to head into half-time trailing by seven points.

Louis Rees-Zammit was another standout for Wales, ending his eight-game scoring drought in international rugby with a superb try in the first-half.

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But despite sealing a bonus-point win, Steve Tandy's side lacked a clinical edge and at times struggled to convert opportunities inside Japan's 22.

They afforded the visitors some hope of sealing a late draw, with Japan's Kenta Fukuda scoring with five minutes to go, to set up a thrilling finish.

With Wales holding a seven-point lead, Japan pressed again late, but it was Adams who effectively won the match for his side, winning a crucial penalty as the clock ticked into the red.

Wales find fast start in Cardiff

After a surging run from Rees-Zammit the hosts advanced to Japan's five-metre line, before Archie Griffin collected a flat pass off the back of a ruck and crashed over for his first international try inside three minutes.

A lapse in concentration then proved costly for Wales, with Japan pouncing on a loose ball at the back of a ruck. They moved it wide quickly to blindside flanker Ben Gunter, who strode over from 10m out.

Wales continued to attack, as they sucked Japan's defenders in by punching holes in the middle of their defence, before Tandy's side flooded the left flank. What followed was a brilliant breakaway try, with Sam Costelow combining with Adams, Eddie James, and Rees-Zammit, who popped off to Adams just before the tryline to touch down for his first of the night.

Tandy's side were ill-disciplined at times and Japan made them pay, with Griffin conceding a penalty for not rolling away just off the half-way line. The visitors kicked to the corner, and recycled the ball, before captain Werner Dearns crashed over for his side's second.

Wales would eventually take the lead with Rees-Zammit showing his class, skirting around the right wing to score with three minutes left in the half.

But, Tandy's side lost their focus again, with Japan winning the ball off the restart and mounting a late attack. Only a sublime steal from Nicky Smith on the tryline kept Wales in front - 21-14 heading into the sheds.

A slow second half followed, with Japan showcasing some incredible defending to withstand a barrage of Wales attacks, before Alex Mann fumbled the ball in contact close to the tryline.

With a little over 10 minutes to go, Blair Murray collected a box kick just outside of his 22, and sped around the wing before popping off to Tomos Williams.

The scrum-half cut back inside and found Adams on his right shoulder who stretched his legs and raced for the corners. It felt like relief for Wales but Japan had other ideas.

The visitors built through the phases and Wales struggled to stop them from breaking the grainline. Opeti Helu picked up the ball at the back of the ruck, made contact and popped off to Fukuda, who zoomed through a gap to cut the deficit to seven points.

From there, Wales managed to hold out to a late barrage of attacks from Japan, to move level with England on 10 points in the Northern Hemisphere table.

What's next?

For Wales, they take on New Zealand on Saturday November 14, in Cardiff in their second game of the Northern Series (2.10pm kick-off).

Japan, meanwhile, head to the Allianz Stadium to face England, also on Saturday November 14 (4.40pm kick-off).

More to follow...

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