15/06/2013 Scrum V

Wales have another chance to shine after Japan almost stole the show.

No-one can argue, Japan destarve. Look, he slipped past. Harry

Robinson is in the corn. Japan are back within two points.

First attempt is a successful one. It is a great relief for Wales.

A warning shot, then, in Osaka, as Wales bring on a few new faces and

look to get the basics on track. We did not concede a try for so

many games. To goes to show the environment that we have, we don't

settle for anything but the best. Whoever plays in the team has to

perform. Or you will not be playing at all! And from water boy last

week, via a school in New Zealand... Everyone wants to anybody the first

team. They want to be playing. I didn't

get my chance but I got it this week. I have to take it with both

hands, really. They are a tough team. We want to

bring something to the table that they have not seen before.

It will have to be something special to make a city of 35

million people take notice. Ten times the population of Wales in

one city. Wales have gone for more carrying power up front with Rhys

Gill in the front row and Andries Pretorius in the back. Tom Prydie

on the wing. It is Japan against Wales, the

Second Test from Tokyo. Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme.

Well done if you have managed to keep yourself away from the score.

Neither my face nor the faces of our guests, double Grand Slam

winners will give the game away. Tom made his debut for Wales

against Japan in Tokyo, many years ago, too many to remember! Wales,

then. They have made changes for the match. A shade more experienced

to the side that battled to victory in Osaka. Let's go to round two.

The commentator is Stuart Davis. There is just one change for Japan.

The captain, injured since April is back on the wing.

Harumichi Tatekawa and tan aka, the players behind those up front.

Four changes for Wales. Tom Prydie for the team.

It's all set. The second match of Wales' summer game in Japan.

Dan Bigger gets it all underway. They will show determination from

Japan this week. They came so close last week. They feel that they

deserve the victory. They have never achieved it.

They have never achieved it against any of the major nations of the

What are the feelings today, Stuart? There is great emotion. A

big moment for them here. A better balance in the back row for the

Welsh team. Hoping that the contact area improves for Wales, but you

know what they are up against this week. The Welsh psyche will be on

show, they must be on their guard today.

Emyr Phillips finding his man from the first line out. That man is Lou

Reed with his Blues partner, formerly of the Scarlets, of course,

Lou Reed. That's the most experienced man

behind the scrum, Dan Bigger. The referee playing an advantage there.

It will be a first chance for Dan Bigger.

That is rite at the start, a minute or so gone.

-- right. Dan Bigger, 14 points last week in

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Harumichi Tatekawa had a fine game This is good for Wales. Lee

unanimous Williams joining. -- Liam.

they went for goal, from 22 yards, they go to the touch line? We saw

that last week. They kicked it from the corner before taking the points.

So a quick change of approach from corner. A comfortable kick for Dan

the ball in his hands. Can they capitalise? And this

time... Wales are penalised for piling in and Williams is targeted

by some forwards there. We didn't see any of this last week

in Osaka. This has taken five minutes for the

flare-up in Tokyo. The Welsh cavalry late to arrive.

far wing. That is off-side. Scott Andrews arriving.

Robinson is out. Owen Williams back inside.

Not finding sprat vat sprat. Fukuoka from the left wing. This is

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platform for those behind to clear points including 12 tries. Here he

goes. No mistake from the full it's back.

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Japan have taken the lead. It is 3- Josh Nvidi is an option.

for a knock-on. Robinson trying to wriggle his way

through. Williams searching for a gap on the

the game. Owen Williams being led to the touch-line.

Not sure what the problem is. But Rhys Patchell is on instead of

him. It remains to be seen whether that

is a technical change or injury. I would presume an injury, this

early? Yes, an early end to his Wales were allowed to wear the

traditional red last week. Japan in the dark change strip. This week

it's been reversed. Robinson has been the most potent

attacking weapon. He has a lot to do here. Watch the

shoulder from Rhys Patchell, but by the time the pass is offered, the

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is a chance for Kenki Fukuoka to wrong decision, but he saw the gap,

it was telting. -- tempting. There were who men

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outside waiting. before, Ayumu Goromaru is now

kicking for game. It doesn't seem as if there will be

any Welsh celebrations in Tokyo tonight.

It is Japan, 26-8. There is no way back. The crowd know it. The

players know it. They are ready to dominated the second half. They

have moved up a gear in the second half. Wales have a penalty but

there is just a minute left at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby

Ground. It's the kick and the chase.

Rhys Patchell can move but the ball Harry Robinson for Wales.

Tavis Knoyle. There is no way through for the repolice

stationment scrum-half. Scott Baldwin is on there.

A special moment for him, gaining his first Welsh cap. The hooker

from the Ospreys, but there will be no big celebration at the end of

the game. That's it. The ball goes dead.

Harumichi Tatekawa is with the ball. The stadium in Tokyo erupts. This,

the biggest day in the whole history of rugby in Japan.

And Japan have beaten major country for the first time in their history.

The final score, Japan, 23, Wales, The final score, Japan, 23, Wales,

eight. 87 years Japan has not been a top

ten country in the world. Wales have a lot of players on the line,

but it was a fantastic achievement by the team. We had a full house in

Osaka last week, a full house in Tokyo. We can really push Japanese

rugby forward. I made the decisions. I backed this

group of young men. We have fallen short, fair enough, but hopefully

the experience of these young men that they have gained in the last

two games in particular, it will put them in good stead. You don't

know how far to push yourself until you push yourself too far. If we

had had the accuracy in the game, I think it would have been a

different result. I thought that we started well. The

first five minutes, then we got it down in the corner. We thought that

the game was going to go our way. Taking nothing away from Japan.

They played good rugby. We were unable to play well in the ruck

area. Two weeks on the bounce now that is what has cost us. I thought

we played better today than last week.

We had a silly knock-on before. Then they broke up and scored. It

was one of those games where it all went right for them and wrong for

We don't want the season to end. We want another game to put it right.

That will be the motivation for the boys in the off-season to put the

record straight. The boys there are hugely disappointed.

They know now what international rugby is all about, really.

That certainly did not go to plan as far as Wales were concerned.

Martin we talked about the risk of leaving big-name players behind.

That risk came to reality today? They made that decision as Robin

alluded to. They backed the young players. Left a lot of experience

at home. It has come back to bite them today. At certain stages you

were looking for experience to pull the side together N fairness they

did that, last week, they did, but this week they left themselves too

much to do. They ultimately lost the gale.

That said, though, you would have expected to crack on and win today?

We were all expecting a big performance. Especially after last

week. There was a talk should this be a cap tour a development tour,

regardless, Wales should have won, but we cannot take it away from

Japan. You have to look at the coaches that they have there of

Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick. This was a well-drilled team.

But Wales did set out their stall positively? We said that they had

learned from last week. Starting well. Putting widthth on the ball.

A lot of territory and possession. It was a matter of time to finish

with the tries, but this is what happened. The game, they created

the chances putting in the which hadth. Harry Robinson looking

dangerous every time he touched the ball. They put in nice moves. This

is perfect. An old Australian move. Robinson there, the line. This is

the difference between the teams, the composure, the situations to

keep the ball. To go through the phases.

But they tried to miracle off loads and came off with no points.

They had chances? Lots of chances, but as said, it is having the

experience to keep hold of the ball. Here is one here. Look after that

ball, then an overlap will come. It is one of the biggest chances of

the game here. Rhys Patchell running across. He needed to

straighten. Another opportunity here... There we are, you can see

what he is trying to do. He gets the ball, recycles it but again

this is the story of Wales, really, throughout the game.

The ball kols out... -- comes out... There we are, a turnover and the

pressure is gone straight away. Another one here. A good kick by

Dan Bigger. Those are the opportunities you have to score in.

Wales didn't play great but there were opportunities there, had they

taken them, they would have won the game.

Let's give Japan credit. 29 World Cup posts, what a boost for them as

they look forward to holding the tournament? They were great. The

back ball was outstanding. Talking about the Welsh physicality but the

Japanese were a little more physical. They got a good forward

physical. They got a good forward ball.

It showed how easy it was for the nine, tan aka. He bossed the game.

They look here at the speed, they are in the game. One of the Welsh

boys is slowing the ball down. It is all too easy.

We spoke a lot about the open side but it is a collect I have --

collective effort. Leer he has run out the numbers.

Again a quick ball. Nobody slowing it down. This make it is difficult

for the defence. They are on their heels, they can't get the blitz

defence going that we know that Wales is so good at. It is so

disappointing for the younger boys to learn this way but a harsh

lesson. This is the second try. The Welsh boys have time to get the

numbers to the left-handside, but here there are ten players there

around the post areas. It made it too easy for the Japanese to score

in the end. It was harsh lesson for the young boys but international

rugby, whoever you are pliing you have to be right on the metal.

-- playing. -- playing.

There was a turn I am sure that we thought that Tom Prydie was about

to score but it did not happen? it didn't. This is a very good try.

A quick ball. One simple run around and the space is there.

We thought great. Lovely try, well worked, Wales are going to kick on

from here, but the kick-off, straight away, they take it well.

Carry it into contact and the ball spills out.

Basically after that, Japan kafrpd themselves in Wales' half. Wales

were unable to get back from that. -- camped.

There is a try, that is what Robbie is about.

Again, one missed tackle. He is through.

They played very well. That is a carbon copy of the

Robinson break. Then they score in the corner.

Japan took lessons from Wales about not throwing the miracle pass,

keeping hold of it. A damaging experience? We have been

there. You do learn a lot from losing a game.

I think that some lessons are learnt on individuals, also on the

management. Some good, some bad, but in all it is never good to lose

but the younger players will realise that they need to work a

little bit harder. Right, could the Lions lighten the

mood for us? They were in action against the wallabies, n against

the Warrathas in Sydney. 17-47. Lions dominant there. A cloud on

the silver lining from Sydney, Jamie Roberts going off with a leg

injury. We wait to see but the Lions impressive? Efficient and

clinical. The toughest Test before the first Test next week, but a

great win. You thought so? Another great performance by Lions. The

other side put up a bit of a fight but you can see the levels of

fitness coming from the Lions. It is a great place to be now.

With the first Test in mind, Tom and Martin have put their heads

together to come up with who they think that Warren Gatland is

Interesting back row, Martin? think that the front five more or

less picks itself. I think that they will go with Tom

next week. And to finish off with the Wales

against Japan, did anyone put their hands up for the internationals

hands up for the internationals next season? You are struggling

there. The youngsters are happy to be there but for the older players

like Dan Bigger and Bradley Davies, there will be a bit of hangover and

possibly a lack of confidence. Something to get out of the system

for the senior players? It is a harsh reality for us in Wales, plus

we have not the strengths and the depth that we think that we have.

It shows how important the Lions players are to the Welsh team.

Thank you very much for your company. I hope you enjoyed it.

Looking forward to the Lions game next weekend.

Once more, some of the greatst ever # Big in Japan