Summary

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  • Wales seal first win of disappointing WXV2 after losses to Australia and Italy

  • Japan also winless in this competition after defeats to South Africa and Scotland, and have now lost their last seven Tests

  • Wales had managed only three victories in previous 10 Tests this year, but win eases pressure on head coach Ioan Cunningham

  • Nel Metcalfe and Keira Bevan score first-half tries for Wales, but Bethan Lewis' effort is belatedly chalked off

  • Jaz Joyce scores length-of-the-field try after interception early in second half

  • Misaki Matsumura responds with Japanese try, before Ayasa Otsuka crosses late on

  1. That's it from us - thanks and goodbyepublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    Wales players celebrate Jaz Joyce's tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Well.... a win is a win and when you've been struggling as Wales have this year... they will be more than happy to take it.

    Nel Metcalfe, Keira Bevan and Jaz Joyce all scored to claim a first win of the WXV2 tournament.

    But there is still a niggling feeling that they really should have scored more if not for the same old problems of squandering chances.

    Metcalfe and Joyce's scores were both opportunist tries though Bevan's effort finished one of the most impressive moves we've seen all year from a far more ambitious Wales.

    It should also ease the pressure on head coach Ioan Cunningham, who was coming under fire after just three wins from his previous 13 games.

    WXV2 finishes tomorrow, when Wales will discover if they will be 10th or 11th seeds for Thursday's pool draw for the 2025 World Cup.

    At least now Cunningham can start preparing - you would think - to be there with Wales.

    So that's the end of 2024 for Wales but make sure you watch our coverage of the pool draw next Thursday.

  2. An exciting eight months ahead - Cunninghampublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    Wales head coach Ioan CunninghamImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    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."

    On World Cup qualification: "It's such an exciting eight months to come to the World Cup and I'm really looking forward to it.

    "There's a lot of hard work to do but what an opportunity for the players to show their talent on the world stage."

  3. 'We've worked so hard for this'published at 17:05 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    Wales captain Hannah Jones runs at the Japan defenceImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    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."

  4. How it standspublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    The WXV2 table is looking a little better now for Wales before tomorrow's final games.

    Australia play Scotland and South Africa take on Italy.

    WXV2 tableImage source, BBC Sport
  5. 'Humbling to be in South Africa'published at 17:02 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    Jaz Joyce celebrates her tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Try-scorer and player of the match Jasmine Joyce said: "I think the only tries I have scored for Wales are against Japan so let's play them more I say!

    "It was good fun. We haven't had the best tournament with two losses but it's nice to get a win.

    "To be in South Africa is humbling. The culture here is fantastic. We moan about chicken thighs and not chicken breasts and these girls are playing rugby without shoes on.

    "The only people in the stands are Welsh so thank you. We have great support from back home and we do feel it here and thanks to the people who travelled out to watch us."

  6. World Cup qualificationpublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    We already knew it, but completion of this WXV2 tournament sees Wales qualify for the World Cup next year.

    It's just the formalities.

  7. Postpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 11 October

    FT: Wales 19-10 Japan

    Ceri Coleman-Phillips
    BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

    It was far from a perfect performance from Wales, but a win is a win and they will be delighted.

    It will also relieve some of the pressure on head coach Ioan Cunningham ahead of a Rugby World Cup year.

    But there's no getting away from the fact that Wales have massively under achieved this year, they have only won four from 11 Test matches.

    It will be a tough review when the dust settles.

  8. Full-time: Wales 19-10 Japanpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 11 October

    Japan overthrow the lineout, Wales consider trying to go the full length of the pitch for a bonus point but captain Hannah Jones says enough is enough and boots the ball out.

    Wales have their first win of the tournament.

  9. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Wales 19-10 Japan

    There goes the hooter... but we're playing on because Japan have a penalty and kick to touch.

  10. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Wales 19-10 Japan

    Alex Callender gets a steal at the breakdown - what a time to do it and now Wales should see out the final seconds.

    Hang on... Powell fails to find touch with the penalty and Japan will keep going as the clock ticks past 80 minutes.

  11. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Wales 19-10 Japan

    We're into the final minute and Japan have possession again.

    Wales will be determined to keep them out.

  12. try

    Try: Wales 19-10 Japanpublished at 77 mins

    Ayasa Otsuka

    The fly-half goes through the gap on the field - and on to the scoreboard.

    Nicely timed pass and there was little Donna Rose could do.

    But hang on... she's missed the conversion and that probably means Wales have won.

    They can't score nine points in three minutes... surely?

  13. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Both teams strip the ball out of the ball carrier's hands, first Wales and then Japan.

    It's topsy-turvy stuff this.

  14. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Actually no. They've been pulled back to the point of the foul, so kick to the corner.

  15. Sin-bin: Hannah Bluck (Wales)published at 75 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Wales are down to 14 for the remainder of the game after a pretty blatant no-arms tackle.

    It's going to be reviewed and she could be in trouble here.

    But it's immaterial for this match as Wales will finish with 14 players.

    Japan with a great attacking scrum here and numerical advantage out wide.

  16. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    That's the way to make an impact off the bench.

    Sian Jones has only just stepped on to the pitch but does so well at the tackle to win the turn over.

    Kayleigh Powell made the initial tackle and has been impressive today both with and without the ball.

  17. Replacements: Walespublished at 71 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Donna Rose, lock Pyrs and scrum-half Sian Jones all on for Wales.

    Rose replaces Tuipulotu who has had a quiet game today by her high standards.

  18. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Ten minutes to go, Japan are on the attack and this game does not feel like it's settled yet.

  19. Postpublished at 68 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Bethan Lewis had made another huge break in the build-up to that last attack.

    She has been such a threat today.

  20. Postpublished at 66 mins

    Wales 19-5 Japan

    Wales blow a clear chance to score a try.

    Nel Metcalfe goes arching through with a great angle and just has to get the ball to replacement Courtney Keight, who should have a clear run down the touchline for the bonus.

    But the pass off her left hand flies wildly out of play.