“They've done everything to win”- Adam Jones on Wales’ chances to level series against Japan

Wednesday, 09 July 2025 at 16:23

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byHarry Tovey

Wales continued their torrid run of Test defeats in the sweltering heat of Kitakyushu where they fell to their 18th consecutive defeat, but scrum coach Adam Jones insists players ‘can’t dwell’ on past matches.

You could see how much that one defeat against Japan last Saturday had taken a toll on some of the players, as their devastation was clear to see.

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However, Matt Sherratt’s men will have an opportunity to level the series when the two meet in Kobe on Saturday, where they’ll look to pick up their first Test win since the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Georgia.

“When you lose for your country, from a sporting point of view, it’s the worst feeling. Because it’s now 18 games, it just magnifies it,” Jones told BBC Sports Wales.

“They care and want to play. A lot of history has gone into their jersey and they massively care about that and what it represents.

“There’s been times in the past when there’s been a few players coming through the international system who probably don’t care.

“They just wanted the Wales cap and accolades that go with it.”

Unlike other tours to the Far East, Wales were almost at full strength, and Jones insisted that this group of players are passionate about ending the drought of defeats.

“They’ve done everything to win but unfortunately we’ve come up short.

“I know it’s easy to say they deserve a win from how they apply themselves they’re a good group of boys.

“They don’t deserve to be in this sort of rut and the criticism they’re getting.”

Winning becomes harder the longer a losing streak continues, and there is no doubt that Sherratt has been working hard to rebuild his side’s confidence which had been dented in recent times.

Prior to leaving for the Far East at their training base at the Vale Resort hotel interim head coach, Sherratt invited guest speakers to talk to the squad and try to lift the mood of players.

One of which was Wales’ football manager Craig Bellamy who talked a lot about the now instead of focusing on past defeats.

“He (Bellamy) said everyone knows Wales because of the Welsh rugby team,” Jones continued to tell BBC Sports Wales.

“As much as it’s where we are now, Welsh rugby is still a big thing in world rugby. It’s what we’re known for.

“There’s a bit of pressure, but on the flipside, the people who turn it around, or get the monkey off our back, it will be pretty special for them.

“There will be relief as well, I’m sure.”

Like all of Wales’ coaches on this tour Jones is on a secondment from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins and will return back to the Twickenham Stoop side on Monday.

“I’ve loved it, it’s been brilliant,” said Jones.

“It’s been just over a decade since I last played for Wales and I loved representing my country.

“Playing for them for 11 years changed my life. The chance to represent them as a coach has been just as special.

“I have enjoyed it but then I just get straight back into it with Harlequins on Monday and I might be a bit jet-lagged.”

Wales’ scrum was a positive early in the encounter but as fatigue kicked in the hosts were much stronger around the set-piece. With their front row playing the full 80 minutes.

“They were technically good,” said Jones.

“We were bigger, as in bigger men, heavier men, but certainly across the back five of the scrum, there was a lot of weight constantly through the whole course of the game.

“We need to be better ourselves, we’ll change a few bits around and hopefully we put a better performance on the field.

“I’m pretty analytical. I won’t be ranting or raving. I’ll make sure we get back to what we need to do and get the process that gives us the best chance of being dominant.”

It will be another hot and humid afternoon in Kobe for the second Test but with Noevir Stadium having a retractable roof, that could make a difference.

As it was evident as the game went on as expected Japan began to get the upper hand with the hosts’ captain Michael Leitch stating that Wales were ‘blowing’.

“Their captain came out after the game and said a few things,” added Jones.

“So hopefully we’ll pay heed to that and hopefully he’ll have a different opinion of us after the game on Saturday.”