By Andrew Collins
September 22 2007

Wales recorded a massive 11-try win over minnows Japan, at their home ground, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. A largely second string side turned on the class and entertained the Welsh public with a fantastic display of running rugby.

Smiles returned to most of the faces in Wales on Thursday, as Gareth Jenkins provided what the fans had been calling for, in playing the much loved ‘Welsh Way'.

Fringe players in the form of Mike Phillips, Jamie Robinson, Daffydd James, Rhys Thomas, Chris Horseman and Will James were given starting chances as Jenkins rung the changes following the crushing defeat to Australia last week.

But the display looked anything but second-string, as Mike Phillips and James Hook took control of the encounter, opening up the match and spreading quick ball wide.

But credit must be given to Japan, who not only scored 18 points (2 tries, 2 Pens and 1 conversion), but scored probably the finest try of the tournament so far, and that will certainly take some beating!

It was a special day for Shane Williams in particular, who not only notched up his 50^th Welsh cap, but his 2 tries equalled, and then beat Ieuan Evans' record of 33, putting the entertaining winger on 34, 2^nd place in the all time top Welsh try scorer record, just 5 tries behind Cardiff Blues back, Gareth Thomas.

There were also tries for Alun-Wynn Jones, James Hook, Rhys Thomas, Kevin Morgan, Mike Phillips, Shane Williams (2), Gareth Cooper and Martyn Williams (2).

There were three players who deserve extra note, with Mike Phillips, Martyn Williams and James Hook all standing out in a game of open running.

A sterner test will come though for Wales, with Fiji standing in the way of a Quarter Final spot. However, while not wanting to get carried away with this latest score line, it's hard to see the South Sea Islanders beating the Welsh now.

They've looked far more like the Welsh of old since the 2^nd half of the Canada match. And while the first half of the Australian clash was not one to remember for the Dragons, no one can deny they are a side of higher ability, and thoroughly deserved their win. But even then, the Welsh ended that match on top despite the score, with the Wallaby's exhausted by the rapid Welsh backs.

As for Japan, they now have just one match left of this World Cup, but will be desperate to get something out of their match with Canada. That will be an intriguing game, what with Japan wanting an expensive game and Canada wanting to play ‘up-the-jumper' rugby.

But Pool B is starting to take shape now, and it would take a massive shock to see either Australia or Wales lose their respective 1^st and 2^nd positions.

Scorers:

Wales (29) 72
Tries: A W Jones, Hook, R Thomas, Morgan, Phillips, S Williams (2), James, Cooper, M Williams (2)
Cons: S Jones (5), Sweeney (2)
Pens: S Jones

Japan (11) 18
Tries: Endo, Onozawa
Cons: Robins
Pens: Onishi (2)

Wales Coach Gareth Jenkins On Wales;

"What we wanted to do was win this game, win it well and play some tidy rugby and I think we've achieved that. But we are not entirely satisfied. There were still aspects of the game that we were disappointed with."

And on Japan's super try;

"That's what you've got when you play any side in the world. If you don't create the accuracy that you need to and you give any team a chance particularly on turnover they will take it and I was applauding that try like everybody else. It was a fantastic exhibition of turnover rugby."

Wales:
Morgan, D. James, Robinson, Hook, S. Williams, S. Jones, Phillips, D. Jones, R. Thomas, Horsman, W. James, A. Jones, Charvis, M. Williams, Popham.

Shanklin for Robinson (73), Sweeney for S. Jones (54), Cooper for Phillips (57), Jenkins for Horsman (65), Evans for A. Jones (52), Owen for Popham (58). Not Used: Bennett.

Japan:
Loamanu, Endo, Imamura, Onishi, Onozawa, Robins, Yoshida, Nishiura, Matsubara, Soma, H. Ono, Thompson, Watanabe, Makiri, Miuchi.

Taira for Imamura (51), Kusumi for Onishi (52), Kim for Yoshida (66), Yamamura for Nishiura (54), Inokuchi for Matsubara (75), Kiso for Thompson (66), Asano for Makiri (52).

Att: 42,245

Ref: J Jutge (France).