Japan v Wales: Home skipper Michael Leitch ranks Kitakyushu win as number one result

Jones warned Wales they will face an improved Japan side next Saturday in Kobe for the second and final match of the series.

Japan’s victory lifted them above Wales to 12th in the world rankings with the tourists dropping to a record low of 14th.

Leitch says his side are looking to create a first for Japanese rugby by clinching the series 2-0.

“To win back-to-back for Japan has not been done before so it’s a chance to create some new history,” said Jones.

“We will be up against a fiery Welsh side who are coming off the back of a loss against Japan.

“We will be up for it and it is back to the tools on Monday.”

Wales buckled in the second half under the extreme heat and humidity, although interim head coach Matt Sherratt and captain Dewi Lake refused to blame the conditions.

Leitch believed they played a factor as Wales scored no points after half-time.

“Japan heat is no joke, I saw their guys out there second half and they were blowing,” said Leitch.

“We knew if we could keep the tempo up and hold the position, that would get them in the end and it was part of our game plan.

“I was looking at the guys in the red jerseys and they were feeling it more than us and that was good to see on our part.”

Jones said before the match whoever dealt with the conditions better would win the game and Leitch believes his assessment was correct.

“Preparation going into this game was key to our success,” said Leitch.

“We trained hard as a team and Eddie Jones gave us a really good training camp.”