Edwards praises character of Wales after Japan win

Dan Edwards has three Wales caps, the first two coming as a replacement

Wales fly-half Dan Edwards says the tourists proved their character by defeating Japan in Kobe.

Wales' 31-22 victory ended an 18-match losing Test run that had lasted 21 months, with Edwards scoring a try in his 16-point haul in his first international start.

It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup and levelled the series following a 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu.

"It was about getting a win, I'm absolutely chuffed," said Edwards.

"Especially with everyone saying we didn't deserve to win last week and were writing us off, people have been writing us off for however long.

"We've come back and shown everyone why we're here. It shows the character we've got. That was a real statement that when it gets tough, we can pull through.

"It's also just that little bit of a boost that Welsh rugby needed."

Plumtree magic

Dan Edwards scored his first international try against Japan

Ospreys fly-half Edwards, 22, scored a crucial late try after some magic from replacement flanker Taine Plumtree who produced an outrageous reverse pass.

"Fair play to Taine, he was brave doing that," said Edwards

"It was great just getting on the end of it and finishing it off."

Plumtree outlined his thinking about pulling off the move.

"It was just one of the main messages that Jockey [Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt] gave us was to be brave and express ourselves," said Plumtree.

"I think we were under an advantage. I heard Rog [Wales wing Tom Rogers] out the back so I pulled it back. Thank God it came through."

Sherratt praised the adventure his players showed while under intense pressure.

"That last play summarises it for me," said Sherratt.

"It would have been easy to go to a safe lineout at the front. We have thrown to the back, run a more risky play.

"And Taine Plumtree throws a reverse pass. I didn't intend for him to be that brave, but it worked."

Plumtree came on for Cardiff flanker Alex Mann and was one of the second-half replacements who made an impact in the Kobe heat and humidity.

"As those bench players, you've got to bring energy to those starters," said Plumtree.

"You know the heat is incredible. It's tough being out there.

"One of the jobs for us is bringing that level and trying to bring the boys up to finish off the game."

Worth the wait for Giles

Keelan Giles played 40 minutes on his Wales debut in the win against Japan

Three new caps came off the bench in Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, along with Dragons prop Chris Coleman.

The moment was especially memorable for Giles who had his first taste of international rugby - nine years after being picked for his first squad.

Giles, now 27, was selected as an 18-year-old for the New Zealand tour in 2016.

He was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November that year and also remained uncapped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following summer.

After battling back from significant knee issues and hamstring problems, Giles was picked for the 2024 summer tour of Australia but had to pull out because of injury.

Now he has finally realised his dream.

"It's a massive day for me and my family," said Giles.

"They made the trip over, which made it extra special. It's unbelievable.

"It's been a long time coming. It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on.

"So it's an extra special feeling."

Giles came on as a half-time replacement for the injured Josh Adams, who had scored a try and created one in the first half.

"I just wanted to get on the pitch no matter how many minutes I played," said Giles.

"A win has been a long time coming for fans of Wales. This group has worked extremely hard over the last couple of years.

"To get that win, it's almost the monkey off our backs. It's something to build on now.

"The players have been feeling it, with 18 losses, the players felt it the most.

"Now it's time to kick on and get more wins. We're looking forward to the autumn and the future."