Woeful Wales are humiliated one more time

WALES' embarrassment knows no bounds as they surrendered a 19-7 lead to chalk up their 18th consecutive defeat, easily a record for a Tier 1 nation in the professional era.

- ROGER PANTING

They last won against Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023 and this latest loss sees them fall to 14th in the world rankings with Japan climbing above them, having triumphed in a eminently forgettable contest.

This latest defeat was one of Wales' worst as they were up a side that contained eight debutants in their matchday 23 and had previously conceded an average of 40 points per game in their 11 outings since the World Cup.

Last weekend they crashed 50-23 to the NZ Maoris and for the first 55 minutes, they were comfortably second best. But from nowhere they took advantage of confidence-shorn opponents to record a notable victory.

Wales captain Dewi Lake said: “We were in control but weren't clinical enough in their 22 to take our chances. Ill-discipline and a couple of mistakes cost us as we allowed Japan to play their game in the second half.”