Clockwatch: Japan 10-64 Wales

Minute-by-minute action from the Hanazono Ground in Osaka where Wales put their early tour wobbles behind them with a comprehensive win over Japan in the first Test.

Scroll down for earlier action

---

Full-time: Japan 10-64 Wales

---

80 mins: Japan end the match with a breakout from on their own line after Wales drop the ball, but Shane Williams shows some fine defence to shadow Ken Iawabuchi before dumping him into touch. Referee Dixon blows for full-time.

78 mins: Wales are looking a bit tired now but are defending well and shepherding the tricky Japan runners into blind alleys.

76 mins: Two Wales substitutions as Jamie Robinson comes on for Gareth Thomas, who has had an immense game, at outside centre, while Andy Lloyd comes back onto the field for Craig Quinnell.

73 mins: Great defence from Adrian Durston and Stephen Jones sees Japan centre Oto held up over the line, although there is a suspicion he managed to ground the ball. Ben Evans on for Chris Anthony at loosehead for Wales.

66 mins: Shane Williams grans his fourth try of the afternoon from a chip and chase, leaving Onishi dead for pace. Onishi goes off soon afterwards. conversion missed.
Japan 10-64 Wales

65 mins: Gavin Henson comes on for Kevin Morgan at fullback and immediately flattens Japan wing Kurihara to snuff out a moment of danger.

64 mins: Iestyn Thomas drops the ball in the process of going over the try line after Jamie Ringer charges down a kick.

63 mins: Yamamoto replaces Suguwara at openside flanker.

62 mins: Home pressure tells again as Japan scrum-half Murata makes a half-break from a five-metre scrum and sets up. Flanker Ito gathers and stretches to score in the left-hand corner. Attempted conversion hits the post.
Japan 10-59 Wales

59 mins: Japan have got their confidence back now and only a crunching tackle from Gavin Thomas prevents Japan No 8 Saito from scoring a try.

57 mins: Wales bring on some fresh legs in the shape of hooker Steve Jones of Neath, replacing Andrew Lewis.

53 mins: A try for Japan! Well deserved as the forwards do the hard work, clearing out the rucks before releasing the backs. The Welsh defence is stretched left and then right before lock Vaturei in support squirts over from close range.
Japan 5-59 Wales

48 mins: No denying Shane Williams his hat-trick this time as the Japan backline drop the ball, allowing the Neath winger to hack on and score under the posts. Stephen Jones adds another conversion.
Japan 0-59 Wales

46 mins: Shane Williams just denied another try when he brushes the corner flag when going over after being set up by Geraint Lewis.

45 mins: Play stops while Japan scrum-half Murata is checked for concussion. Looks woozy but carries on.

44 mins: Kevin Morgan tries chipping ahead again. No try this time but the fullback gains 40 metres for the tourists.

42 mins: Wing Tuidoraki, a Fijian by birth, scorches away down the right wing. A try looks certain but Tuidoraki ignores his support and allows Kevin Morgan to nail him head on. The ball is knocked on and Japan's chance goes begging.

41 mins: One change for Wales at the break with Jamie Ringer coming on in the backrow for Andy Lloyd. Wales kick deep but Japan dig in and march into Welsh territory before conceding a scrum.

---

Half-time: Japan 0-52 Wales

---

40 mins +2: The pressure tells again as Bridgend centre Adrian Durston steps off his left foot before carrying two defenders over the line with him for a debut Test try. Conversion added by Stephen Jones.
Japan 0-52 Wales

40 mins: Wales are breaking through tackles almost at will now and only some desperate Japan defence holds scrum-half Gareth Cooper up over the line.

39 mins: Skipper Andy Moore limps off, still suffering from that early knock. Backrow Nathan Budgett comes on as a replacement but will take Moore's place in the second row.

38 mins: Excellent blindside move from a scrum produces another Wales try. All down to the skills of No 8 Geraint Lewis who breaks, loops,and pops to Kevin Morgan on the angle. Morgan draws what cover is left and sets the easiest try for Shane Williams. Stephen Jones adds the conversion.
Japan 0-45 Wales

31 mins: Bath flanker Gavin Thomas gets a stern talking to from referee Dixon for continued infringements at rucks. Will have to be careful from now on to avoid a sin-binning.

30 mins: Better from Japan. Fly-half Onishi dances through the Welsh defence to set the ball up for his forwards. Wales eventually kill the ball for a penalty. Japan opt to run the ball but a knock-on by wing Kurihara spoils the move.

29 mins: Wales skipper Andy Moore needs some minor treatment to a thigh knock, allowing both sides to catch their breath. Moore looks very grateful for the ice treament in the sweltering conditions.

27 mins: Japan are in real trouble, heads are going down and players are walking into position. They need to get their self-belief back quickly if they're to avoid a huge defeat.

22 mins: Kevin Morgan claims his second try after looping round the bulk of lock Craig Quinnell, loitering with intent in the midfield, for an easy try in the right corner. Conversion missed.
Japan 0-38 Wales

18 mins: Another blow for Japan as fullback Matsuada limps off to be replaced by Ken Iawabuchi, who is on the books of English side Saracens.

17 mins: Shane Williams claims another Wales try, getting to a chip down the left wing before the cover defence. Conversion missed.
Japan 0-33 Wales

15 mins: Gareth Thomas charges down an ill-advised Japan kick, blindside Andy Lloyd gathers and scores under the posts. Conversion made by Jones.
Japan 0-28 Wales

13 mins: Wales fullback Kevin Morgan receives the ball from the five-metre scrum, chips ahead and races the length of the field for a sensational breakaway try. Stephen Jones converts from under the posts.
Japan 0-21 Wales

12 mins: A period of sustained Japan pressure creates an overlap for fullback Matsuada, but the forwards hang on to the ball and knock on to waste the opportunity.

7 mins: The Welsh forwards, with Iestyn Thomas to the fore, punch a huge hole in the Japan midfield. Ball swung left down the backline before Japan are stunned again. Mark Jones claims his first try for Wales after No 8 Geraint Lewis chips ahead. Stephen Jones adds the two points.
Japan 0-14 Wales

4 mins: Mark Jones makes a fine break down the right wing, flanker Gavin Thomas is quickly up in support. Japan kill the ball and are penalised. Wales take a quick tap-and-go to find Gareth Thomas on a two-man overlap for a try. Stephen Jones adds the conversion.
Japan 0-7 Wales.

Kick-off: Japan's kick-off is carelessly handled into touch by Wales for an early lineout. Japan throw to the tail and set an early marker.

---

Teams

Japan: Matsuada; Kurihara, Motoki, Oto, Tuidoraki; Onishi, Murata; Hasegatawa, Sakata (capt), Toyoama, Vaturei, Tanuma, Ito, Sugawara, Saito.
Replacements: Yamamura, Kato, Kubo, Yamamoto, Sonoada, Iawabuchi, Namba.

Wales: K Morgan; M Jones, A Durston, G Thomas, S Williams; S Jones, G Cooper; C Anthony, A Lewis, I Thomas, C Quinnell, A Moore (capt), A Lloyd, G Thomas, G Lewis.
Replacements: S Jones, B Evans, N Budgett, J Ringer, D Peel, G Henson, T Shanklin/J Robinson.