Murchie demands major improvement in Wales defence

Published6 hours ago

Defence coach Peter Murchie has called for a vast improvement in his area of the game when Wales resume their Nations Championship campaign on Saturday against Japan (16:40 GMT).

Murchie is preparing for his second campaign in charge of the defence after joining Steve Tandy's backroom staff from Japan side Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

In July, Wales defeated Fiji in Cardiff but lost to Argentina and South Africa, with the side missing more than 100 tackles and conceding 15 tries during the three games.

Murchie is expecting a lot more from the Welsh squad during the next month.

"From my side in the summer, we can be much better," said Murchie.

"I wasn't happy with the defence overall, there's much more in us and improvements to be made.

"We want to be extremely tough to break down and play against.

"The players are ambitious, they want to perform and defensively we want to be more consistent in our performances this November."

Murchie linked up with Wales after the conclusion of the Japanese Rugby League One season in June.

So having come into the backroom staff late for his first campaign, Murchie is hoping to make more of an impression.

"There is a much bigger lead-in than last time," said Murchie.

"We've got more of a complete coaching group and been able to debrief the summer properly and prepare.

"We have been out in the regions and it's been a good preparation to getting the boys into camp.

"We have had more time to build relationships and prepare this time around."

Murchie stated Wales must improve their win ratio having experienced only three victories in the 12-Test Tandy era so far.

Since November 2025, Wales have beaten Japan, Italy and Fiji and have lost the nine other internationals.

"We're here to win Test matches, we're not here to take part and we've spoken about that as a group," said Murchie.

"I'm not going to give you a number of wins.

"We're also looking for consistency in our performance in terms of delivery and performance in every game."

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Familiar face in Wales coaching camp

Wales will face familiar opponents on Saturday when they play Japan for a fourth time in 16 months.

Following the 1-1 series draw in Japan in July 2025, Wales won the game in Cardiff last November courtesy of a last-gasp Jarrod Evans penalty.

The hosts now have somebody in their coaching ranks who can give him some insight into a Japan national side coached by Eddie Jones.

"Japan are a good team," said Murchie.

"I've coached there last year, so know a bit about how they play and how they approach the game.

"During the last year or two, they've progressed and pushed numerous top teams close.

"We know the threats, the skills and pace, particularly the Japanese contingent, have which is what they pride themselves on.

"They've also got a big foreign contingent there who give them a different dimension, size and bulk, especially around the forward pack.

"It makes them a difficult proposition to play against and they've proven that in the Test matches they have performed against us.

"We respect them, they're well-coached and well-drilled, so we'll need to be at our best."

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Insight into Japan rugby culture

Murchie gave an insight into how Japan approach rugby.

"They are extremely hard workers with the way they're brought through high school nand university," said Murchie.

"They will train for three or four hours and it's no sweat off their back.

"They're used to extremely harsh training conditions and will run through brick walls for you.

"They are also very fit, skilful and throw the ball around."

After spending a year in Japan, Murchie outlined the differences of the Japan rugby culture.

"It's different to anywhere else in the world, the way they're taught and coached and it makes them makes a really interesting group of people to work with," said Murchie.

"I loved it, learned a lot and the rugby out there is completely different. You work for a company and I essentially I worked for a steel company.

"So you've got a real tie to them and you've got to learn as a coach to work with 38-year-olds, who have been there for 20 years, and Ardie Savea [New Zealand captain] in the same team."

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