Wales turn on the style after early stumble

There were a few alarms along the way, but Wales last night gave their critics and the world a glimpse of their attacking potential as they put Japan to the sword at the Millennium Stadium.

After all the debate about a stifling "structured" gameplan in the build-up to this match, Gareth Jenkins' men revealed their true colours to register 11 tries in the bonus-point win which leaves them second in Pool B.

Scroll down to read more:

Though the result will give the embattled coach some vital breathing space, this was not a totally polished performance, as the home side were not always sufficiently clinical and alert, allowing Japan to snatch two breakaway tries.

Despite the cheap ticket prices, vast swathes of seats were empty, ensuring a lessthan- pulsating atmosphere.

Perhaps encouraged by the relative hush, Japan mustered an attack in the third minute, Wales were caught offside and centre Shotaro Onishi's penalty kick found the target.

Then came the backlash. Wales kept smashing away at the visitors but over-complication hampered their efforts.

There were optimistic offloads and wild miss-passes aplenty. Style over substance. When Jenkins' men finally struck their first blow, it was delivered in unusual fashion.

From a loose clearance by Tomoki Yoshida, Jamie Robinson kicked ahead near halfway, the ball ricocheted off a Japanese player and Stephen Jones gathered in midfield.

He released Dafydd James on a strong diagonal run and the wing put lock Alun-Wyn Jones in at the right corner.

Stephen Jones converted and Wales swiftly resumed the siege. But just after Colin Charvis was stopped on the opposition line, the Dragons were stung by a breathtaking counter- attack.

Japan poached the ball from the base of ruck and Hirotoki Onozawa raced down the left before finding Bryce Robins inside.

The fly half released Onishi, he sent Yuta Imamura storming clear and the last pass found Kosuke Endo, who scored on the right to cap a 90-metre move.

Wales were stunned but they kept their composure and soon regained the initiative.

A Stephen Jones penalty in the 23rd minute edged them back in front and, seconds later, James Hook lit up proceedings with a dazzling try on the left wing, dummying inside and holding off Christian Loamanu to score from 40 metres. Stephen Jones converted.

Another Hook break carved Japan open but Stephen Jones failed to find Shane Williams in space and the move broke down.

Wales kept piling forward and from a lineout on the left, Mike Phillips drove just short of the line and Rhys Thomas came steaming in to score at full tilt from a popped pass.

Onishi struck another penalty to make it 24-11 in the 37th minute but the force was with Wales and they scored again before the break.

Stephen Jones darted through a gap and Martyn Williams and Jamie Robinson combined to send Kevin Morgan racing over for the fourth, bonus-point try.

Having established a platform, the Welsh players' confidence soared. Phillips, in particular, was in his element.

The scrum half touched down after a jinking run in the 42nd minute and then it was his deft chip, catch and diving pass which put Shane Williams away in the right corner.

The floodgates opened, with Gareth Cooper and Dafydd James scoring, Shane Williams adding his second try to go ahead of Ieuan Evans and into second behind Gareth Thomas on Wales' all-time try-scoring list with 34, and the outstanding Martyn Williams touching down twice.

However, there was another memorable consolation for Japan as Onazawa intercepted a pass from Alix Popham and sprinted 60 metres for another scrapbook try, converted by Robins.