Japan 24-19 Wales: More despair as tourists feel heat in Kitakyushu

The oppressive conditions – with the temperature above 30 degrees Celsius as well as high humidity – meant a three-minute water break in each half and an extended interval of 20 minutes were introduced.

Wales faded badly in the second half as Japan scored 19 unanswered points but Sherratt refused to blame the heat and humidity for the tourists’ demise.

“I would be making excuses if I said that [conditions played a part],” said Sherratt.

“If you look at the game, we took pretty much every chance we got bar one in their 22.

“Every ball that hit the floor bounced for us and we were on the right side of the penalty count.

“In the second half there were some big moments. We had a lineout around 45 minutes to take the game to three scores and it was a tough call by the referee to penalise us.

“We have a young group, we have not had a win for a while and those little scars can start to run deep.

“In the second half every bounce went for them, we had some key lineout positions we did not make the most of and the penalty decisions went away from us.

“Maybe the conditions added to that also but my instinct is not so much.”

Lake says Wales will look at themselves first.

“Conditions are going to play a factor but we’re not blaming that,” said Lake.

“We weren’t clinical enough in the 22 and we didn’t come away with points.”

Jones was proved right when he said before the match the team that coped with conditions would win the game, but the Australian also praised his opposition.

“For Wales to come from the northern hemisphere into those conditions is difficult,” said Jones.

“Like every Wales team, they were always tough to beat. They’re a proud rugby nation and produce tough, good players.”