SAM Davies admitted it was a case of "hero or villain" after his drop-goal in the dying seconds spared Wales' blushes against Japan.

Davies, a second-half substitute, struck 10 seconds from the end of normal time to edge Wales home 33-30 at the Principality Stadium.

Dan Lydiate, Jamie Roberts and Sam Warburton scored tries, while wing Leigh Halfpenny kicked 15 points as Wales triumphed, yet it was a performance that lacked consistency and finesse - and almost produced a colossal upset.

Davies said: "The mood in the camp is a bit down at the moment. We would liked to have won the game a bit more comfortably than that.

"Personally, I had a job to do at the end, and thankfully it went over.

"The forwards did a good job getting the ball back and set a good platform for me to put the ball over.

"You practise for those situations week in, week out, and it went over. It was hero or villain, and thankfully I was the hero.

"It is the kind of kick that you visualise in your head, winning a game for Wales."

Interim head coach Rob Howley paid tribute to Davies, who impressed on debut against Australia a fortnight ago and was winning only his second cap at the weekend.

"I am delighted for Sam," he said. "He came on against Australia and made a positive impact, and he showed great composure.

"The way he struck the ball for the drop-goal was fantastic. It was a great drop-goal."

Howley conceded that Wales were fortunate, adding: "I thought Japan were the better team. They deserved to win.

"As I said to the players, while we come away with the win, it certainly felt like a loss.

"Japan will deserve the accolades they will get, but we got past the winning post.

"In fairness to Japan, they had the skill, energy and enthusiasm and they were unfortunate not to win the game."

South Africa, beaten by Italy on Saturday, are next up for Wales and skipper Sam Warburton said: "I imagine they will throw the kitchen sink at us and I am sure we will definitely see a reaction from them.

"But if we can finish this campaign with three wins from four then I guess we've had a successful campaign."