Wales continued their Nations Championship campaign with a hard-fought victory over Japan at Principality Stadium.
This was the perfect response for Steve Tandy's side following suffering back-to-back defeats away to Argentina and South Africa in July.
Scroll down for Wales' player ratings against Japan
Wales:
- Tries: Archie Griffin (3'), Josh Adams (28', 69), Louis Rees-Zammit (37')
- Conversions: Sam Costelow (4', 28', 38')
Japan:
- Tries: Ben Gunter (11'), Warner Dearns (32'), Kenta Fukuda (75')
- Conversions: Naoto Saito (12', 32'), Shinya Komura (75')
Wales Player Ratings against Japan:
15. Blair Murray- 7
As he starts his fifth consecutive match for Wales, November marks an important month for the full-back, especially with Tom Rogers pushing for the same starting jersey.
This was one of Murray's better performances in a Welsh jersey for a long time, continuously threatened with the ball in hand, and when tested, was comfortable under the high ball.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit- 9
It’s been a frustrating period for the Bristol Bears player on the international stage, arguably because Wales haven't used his attacking flair enough. The winger started brightly, putting his side on the front foot.
In fact, the winger got the ball much more often and was quite effective with it, scoring before the break. This was Rees-Zammit's best game for Wales in a long time; without him, they may not have even won. He was that good.
13. Eddie James- 6
Despite several calls from ex-players and supporters for the 24-year-old to feature at inside-centre, James retained his place at 13, though questions remain about where he is best suited.
His strong carries in the wide channels helped his side massively, leading to one of his side's score, but a part from that there wasn't much else to write about.
12. Max Llewellyn- 7
If there was one player likely to come under the greatest scrutiny against the Brave Blossoms, it was Llewellyn. The centre last played here during Wales’ World Cup warm-up match against England in 2023.
As expected from an inside centre, he carried strongly to get his side over the gainline and did his fair share of defensive work as well. He looks set to be Wales' 12 for the duration of November.
11. Josh Adams- 6
Adams faced considerable pressure to deliver, especially after being released from the Wales squad last weekend to play for Cardiff Rugby and gain valuable game time. He didn't get off to the best start, as the winger let Ben Gunter score the visitors' first easily.
He scored his two tries brilliantly, but otherwise offered little until the very last minute, when he made a brilliant turnover.
10. Sam Costelow- 8
With Wales needing to establish a long-term answer at outside-half ahead of the new year’s World Cup, Costelow had another opportunity to stake his claim for the position.
The outside-half was strong defensively and consistently looked to win territory with tactical kicks in behind. It was a performance worthy of holding onto the No. 10 jersey for a very long time.
9. Tomos Williams- 5
Despite remaining one of the first names on the team sheet, Williams has yet to consistently reproduce his best form in the Wales jersey recently. He kept his side's attack up with quick thinking, but made a series of questionable kicks in behind.
He is still not at his blistering best for Wales.
1. Nicky Smith- 6.5
With his fellow loose-head Rhys Carré short of regular game time at Saracens, Smith had an important opportunity to strengthen his position in the front-row.
His main highlight in the first-half was his work around the breakdown near his side's whitewash, where he expertly regathered possession after an onslaught from Japan. He proved he's a worthy starter, but Carré replaced him in the third quarter.
2. Dewi Lake- 6
The Gloucester hooker insisted, following Wales’ Captain’s Run, that his side was here to win, and the Lake has continued to lead his country admirably through a difficult period. When it mattered, close to the visitors' whitewash on one occasion, he wasn't firing straight with his arrows.
Carried well, made a confidence boosting turnover, but it wasn't the best of performances from one of Wales' consistent performers.
3. Archie Griffin- 5.5
The tight-head sat out Wales' final training session ahead of the contest, but he started his first game since facing England at Allianz Stadium in February. He got off to a flying start, crashing over to break the deadlock within minutes.
For someone who looked destined for the sidelines 24 hours earlier, Griffin had a good display but was replaed by Tomas Francis early in the second-half.
4. Dafydd Jenkins- 7
Despite injury concerns, it was welcome to see the influential second-row back return after missing the first three Nations Championship fixtures in July. He was a complete nuisance around the breakdown, pressuring scrum-half Naoto Saito effectively, whilst also being strong elsewhere around the pitch.
5. Ben Carter- 7
A strong argument can be made that the 25-year-old is currently one of Wales’ most consistent performers, with his outstanding work rate providing plenty of evidence. Once again, he showed his worth to this Welsh side, played a strong defensive game, and offered the same in attack.
6. Alex Mann- 6
Japan boasts an increasingly imposing forward pack nowadays, and Mann would undoubtedly have relished the physical challenge. The Cardiff player may have been playing with a point to prove, to silence some of his naysayers.
The blind-side was solid around the breakdown area, carried hard, but was replaced late in the contest by James Botham.
7. Jac Morgan- 8
After making an impressive start to life in the Gallagher PREM, there was no shock to see Morgan carry that momentum into international duty. It wasn't the loudest of performances from the open-side, but it didn't have to be for the former Wales captain.
It came as no shock to read that he was Wales' best defender in the first-half, and a strong carry midway through the third quarter put his side in a strong attacking position.
There's no wonder he is regarded as the best player in the PREM at the moment.
8. Aaron Wainwright- 8
Before joining up with Wales, the former Dragons player had played every minute of Leicester Tigers’ season, despite being deployed outside his preferred position.
However, at eight, the 29-year-old proved his worth in attack, especially in the early exchanges. He carried brilliantly, getting his side over the gain line more often than not.
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias- 4
17. Rhys Carré- 4
18. Tomas Francis- 5
19. Teddy Williams- 5.5
20. James Botham- 4
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams- N/A
22. Dan Edwards- 5
23. Louie Hennessey- N/A
