Sherratt urges players to use defeat as ‘fuel’

WALES boss Matt Sherratt said his players were “hurt” by an 18th successive Test defeat as Japan recovered from a 12-point deficit to inflict further misery on the beleaguered tourists.

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Sherratt’s side led 19-7 at the interval in Kitakyushu through tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, as well as a penalty try and were in sight of claiming Wales’ first win for 21 months.

But Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms stormed back in sweltering conditions, where the temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius alongside a very high humidity reading, to win 24-19 and register only their second ever victory over Wales.

“I think you could see the feelings pitchside (at the final whistle), not just the squad but the whole staff,’ said interim head coach Sherratt.

“To have a 19-7 lead in the first half and to lose the game at the end is obviously very disappointing. It hurts.