Wales took five points from Japan at the Principality Stadium, but a 28-21 scoreline shows how hard they had to work for it.
Wales got their Nations Championship campaign back on track with a 28-21 victory over Japan at the Principality Stadium. The bonus point will help in the standings, but the performance left plenty to be desired.
This was a win to bank rather than celebrate. A seven-point margin against a Japan side that kept pushing tells you the contest was tighter than the hosts would have liked, and the home crowd had reason to be uneasy for long stretches.
Still, the result matters. In a competition where every point counts, leaving Cardiff with the full haul keeps Wales in the mix and gives them something to build on, even if the display was short of convincing.
The coaching staff will have work to do before the next fixture. Wales found a way to win, but they will know that sharper execution is needed against stronger opposition. Japan, for their part, showed enough fight to suggest they will trouble others in this competition.
