Evans’ last-second penalty against Japan ends Wales’ 10-match home losing streak

CARDIFF Wales AP Jarrod Evans last-second penalty lifted Wales past Japan - and to its first home mastery in more than two years on Saturday Japan was set to defeat Wales in Cardiff for the first time but ill discipline in the dying moments and after the fulltime hooter gifted Wales a last shot that replacement back Evans landed from outside the and close to the left touchline New Wales coach Steve Tandy in charge of his second match couldn t stand to watch Evans attempt he stood in the hallway behind the coaches box in the Principality Stadium When the ball split the posts he hugged his assistants The impact ended Wales record -match losing streak at home dating to August Wales also beat Japan in July in Kobe to end an -test losing streak the longest in men s tier one history An entertaining end-to-end match on Saturday in which the lead changed six times in the second half also had implications for the Rugby World Cup draw next month Wales will retain its No world ranking and Japan No meaning Japan should get the harder draw with two heavyweight teams in its pool and a harder road to make the playoffs in Australia But another indicator of the steep decline of Wales a World Cup quarterfinalist could be read from having won all five previous home contests with Japan by an average of points AP rugby https apnews com hub rugby Source