WALES PLAY A HIGH-STAKES GAME TO END THEIR AWFUL LOSING STREAK

THE margin between victory and defeat, as Wales have learned the brutal way over the last 21 months, is remarkably thin.

- BEN JAMES Rugby writer

Last week, in Kitakyushu, Matt Sherratt's side were unable to hold onto a 19-7 lead in the blazing sun. Under the roof in Kobe, leads of 21-3 and 24-10 had vanished.

Leading by two points heading into the final 10 minutes, just as they had the previous week, it felt like everyone knew how this was about to play out.

Only those decked out all in red at Noevir Stadium were about to flip the script. After 18 consecutive Test defeats, dragging the national team to new lows in terms of the world rankings, they did it.

Frankly, it mattered little how they got over the line. Having waited so long for a win, no-one cared how it came.

But in all honesty, it was always going to be the case that Wales had to go out and properly win it in the final minutes, rather than just hold on and fall over the line.

They'd essentially tried that the week before. It didn’t work, with the conditions and fear paralysing Wales. Throughout this run, Wales have been capable of moments early on in matches. Think Blair Murray's try against Fiji last autumn or Tom Rogers’ effort against Ireland in the Six Nations. The problems often came about once the match reaches its conclusion.

It looked to be a similar tale this time around.

Aaron Wainwright shone early on, showing a fine work rate to get a second touch as Wales' forwards strung passes together to make ground.