{
  "id": 18779930,
  "title": "Adams double guides Wales past Japan in Nations Championship",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/adams-double-guides-wales-past-japan-in-nations-championship",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-07T19:43:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/adams-double-guided-wales-past-japan-nations-championship/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Winger Josh Adams scored twice as Wales emerged victorious over Japan 28-21 in Saturday's match, securing their second win of the inaugural Nations Championship. The try-scoring winger registered his goals either side of halftime, with prop Archie Griffin and fellow winger Louis Rees-Zammit also contributing to the score. Wales will face New Zealand next weekend, marking their first opportunity to defeat the All Blacks since 1953. The team had previously triumphed over Fiji earlier in the month, but suffered losses to Argentina and South Africa. Japan, coached by Eddie Jones, recorded only one success from four fixtures in the tournament. Replacement scrum-half Kenta Fukuda's late effort forced Wales into a late scare, but ultimately secured a losing bonus point for the Brave Blossoms. Next Saturday, Japan will head to England. Head coach Steve Tandy opted for a powerful midfield pairing of Eddie James and Max Llewellyn, foregoing Ben Thomas's playmaking skills. Jones made five alterations to the side that lost to Fiji two weeks prior, including debuting fly-half Riku Kitahara. The game marked 12 months since Wales ended a two-year drought by defeating Japan by a single point, denying the Brave Blossoms their first victory in Cardiff. The Millennium Stadium was sparsely attended, reflecting the dismal atmosphere surrounding Welsh rugby due to poor Test team results and the looming threat of losing one of the country's four professional sides. Wales took the lead three times in the first half, with Griffin and Adams scoring first, followed by another try from the latter just before halftime. Japan responded with tries from Ben Gunter and Warner Dearns. Rees-Zammit claimed his first Test try of the year moments before halftime. Adams sealed the win with his match-winning second try in the 11th minute of added time, after a sharp break from full-back Blair Murray and a final pass from scrum-half Tomos Williams, who had also set up Griffin's early try. With mere seconds remaining on the clock, Adams demonstrated his defensive prowess by claiming a turnover penalty, ensuring Wales' victory in just their fourth win under Tandy's 13 Test leadership.",
  "summary": "Wales entertain New Zealand next weekend eyeing an unlikely first victory over the All Blacks since 1953.",
  "key_points": [
    "Josh Adams scores twice to lead Wales to 28-21 victory over Japan",
    "Wales secures second win in inaugural Nations Championship",
    "Wales faces New Zealand next, first win over All Blacks since 1953"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}