By Paul Jones
Wales recorded a first victory in South Africa with an all-action performance against Japan in Round 3 of WXV2 at the Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town.
Wing Nel Metcalfe, scrum half Keira Bevan and full back Jasmine Joyce, who was Player of the Match, all crossed for tries for Wales.
The sides had only met twice before, with both nations having a win each, but Wales were well worth this win over the Sakura XV.
Wales dominated territory and possession and showed real attacking intent and finished the chances they created against Japan.
Fly half Kayleigh Powell produced an impressive performance in her first start at fly half as Wales played with real width and ran Japan off their feet.
https://twitter.com/BBCScrumV/status/1844767684480610743
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “We’re delighted to get the win. Japan are a great side who are well coached but I’m full of pride for our players at how they have stuck in there.
“I thought defensively we were great and we dug in to get the win.”
Wales captain Hannah Jones said: “It is brilliant to get the win. The girls have worked extremely hard for this and we’re glad we ended on a high.
“We had more composure in the [red] zone this week which we worked hard on, and that was outstanding.
“We are working hard each week.”
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Metcalfe, again, proved what a talent she is for a 19-year-old with her attacking and defensive work for her country.
The Welsh pack laid the foundations for this win but it was the combination and forwards and backs in attack that impressed in a real team display.
Wales made three changes with Powell in for the injured Lleucu George at fly-half and prop Sisilia Tuipulotu and lock Abbie Fleming both starting. Alaw Pyrs replaced Kate Williams on the bench in a late injury withdrawal just before kick-off.
Japan had impressed in their previous two outings against South Africa and Scotland in WXV2 and posed a very different challenge in the final game of the campaign for both sides.
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The reigning Asian champions started brightly with their trademark passing attacking game but Wales full-back Jasmine Joyce and lock Natalia John made two defence-splitting breaks of the game that triggered a period of pressure.
Metcalfe opened the scoring with Wales’ first try after a charge down kick to cross in the corner to make it 5-0 after 10 minutes.
Wales looked a different side from the previous two games playing with width and variation in attack and regularly tested the Japanese defence in the opening quarter.
Bevan started and finished Wales’ second try with some slick passing between backs and forwards to extend the lead. Bevan converted to make it 12-0.
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Wales then showed real patience when they thought they had crossed for a third try but the referee ruled no try after a TMO review and were well worth their 12 point lead at half-time.
After the break, Japan started the second half like they did the first and attacked with real intent but Joyce intercepted a pass on her own line and raced the length of the field for Wales’ third try.
Bevan landed the conversion to make it 19-0 to Wales on the 42nd minute.
Japan crossed for a try by wing Misaki Matsumura while wing Carys Cox was down injured to make it 19-5.
Wales lost centre Hannah Bluck to a yellow card for a high tackle and went down to 14 players for a frenetic ending which saw fly half Ayasa Otsuka cross for a late try but it was too little, too late as Ioan Cunningham’s side secured a World Cup spot with the victory.
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1844022506916548634
