Wales finally ended their lengthy wait for a Test victory after 644 days with a win over Japan in Kobe
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt says the long-awaited victory over Japan has “to be the start of something” as Wales finally won a Test match after 644 days in emotional scenes.
Defeat to Japan in the second Test would have consigned them to a 19th straight loss at international level – a new record for a Tier 1 nation – but Wales showed remarkable character in extreme conditions to get over the line. Having waited so long to taste victory, the outpouring of emotion was inevitable – with both Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake reduced to tears in the moments after full-time.
Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“I’m over the moon,” said Lake afterwards. “It’s been a long time coming.
“You look back at tough results we’ve had over the past 18 months. A couple of one-pointers. A couple of two-pointers.
“We were probably in the driving seat last week but let is slip. To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.
“It’s probably quite tough to put into words. Around 65 minutes, you almost felt the sense that things were going quite similarly to last week.
“So to score that try in the dying moments, it kind of sinks in that you’ve got the job done. You’ve won the game and that was ultimately our goal.
“To come out here, getting a win on the board and put the run to an end. So the emotion probably flooded through quite quickly then.”
Cardiff boss Sherratt, who has coached Wales’ last five Tests on an interim basis following Warren Gatland’s departure earlier this year, admitted afterwards he had never wanted to win a match as much as this one in Kobe.
“I’m more pleased for the playing group, the coaches and the staff,” he said. “I only saw four games of it, but the coaches that were here previously who aren’t on this trip, they put much so much effort in.
“The support staff, they wear it as well. Probably the most emotional thing for me was, when the whistle went, was seeing the support staff and this group of players get a win.
“It’s the reason why I did it again. To get it in that fashion in the second game, I’m so pleased for the lads.
“For me, it’s about the people. As I said before, I’ve genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much.
“Not around it being win or loss. But because I know what the group has put in over the last four games.
“I see what it means to them. I see what it means to the staff. I’m just so pleased for this group.
“There’s not been a more deserving group that I’ve worked with. It was pretty emotional. I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check as I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.”
And, with a new permanent head coach set to be appointed ahead of the autumn campaign, Sherratt offered a message of hope to whoever gets the top job.
“He’s got a brilliant group to work with,” added Sherratt. “A very passionate group of players and staff.
“He’s got some raw talent as well. Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby, it’s got to be the start of something.
“So the next guy coming in, the big motivation for the group was to let them start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around their neck.
“That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work has got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions.
“Let’s get into the regions and develop a good young group of players.”
