Wales 33-57 Australia U20s: Mark Jones’ men finish with heavy defeat despite brave effort

Wales U20s finish their campaign with defeat against Australia U20s so it’s a sixth placed finish for Mark Jones’ men. They created plenty of opportunities but weren’t clinical enough while they looked nackered during the second-half.

Even so, big strides have been taken since the Six Nations and there were plenty of positives to take out of this championship.

That’s a very good try by Wales who work the short side for Louis Hennessey to put Harri Williams over for their fifth try.

An overthrown lineout gifts Australia their ninth try. Ned Slack-Smith is the scorer

Replacement hooker Harrison Usher claims Australia’s latest try off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.

A flat pass from Dan Edwards sends captain Ryan Woodman charging through a gap. He shows great strength to score. Edwards converts.

Wales claim their third try. A lovely kick through from Dan Edwards beats the blitz defence and is gathered by Llien Morgan for the try. Edwards converts from the touchline.

This is too easy for Australia who are in cruise mode. Darby Lancaster goes on a 50 metre run before his brought down by Lien Morgan. The Wallabies go through the phases for Teddy Wilson to score.

Wales create a golden try scoring opportunity but a wayward pass from Harri Houston, who has been excellent throughout, let Australia off the hook.

Australia claim their third try in 10 minutes and this was a cracker from Teddy Wilson. They go from deep in their own half with some tremendous handling. Wales are falling off tackles, and Mark Jones simply has to empty the bench.

Australia hit straight back with second-row Toby Macpherson claiming his second try. Wales look knackered!

Wales are refusing to throw in the towel. They stretch Australia out wide before going through the phases. An excellent pass from Dan Edwards puts Llien Morgan over at the corner. A great touchline conversion from Edwards.

What a nightmare start to the second-half. Australia cut Wales to shreds out wide with Henry O’Donnell touching down for his second try.

Jack Bowen adds the extras.

Australia get the second-half underway

Wales came mightily close to claiming their second try on the stroke of half-time but Morgan Morse got held up over the line. Australia have been far more clinical than Wales and that’s been the main difference. Mark Jones’ side have cause the Wallabies a while heap of problems in attack but lack the killer instinct.

Australia are in control now with their hooker Liam Bowron touching down off the back of a well-worked driving lineout despite a great effort from Archie Hughes in attempting to hold him up.

Australia’s forwards are gaining the upper hand with second-row Toby Macpherson powering over from short-range.

Wales are taking Australia apart at the scrum but aren’t getting the rewards from the referee who has made more than a few questionable decisions at the set-piece and the breakdown.

What a try! MacKenzie Martin has made a huge impact since coming on with a tremendous pass from Louis Hennessey sending the big second-row through a gap.

He offloads to Bryn Bradley who offloads to Lewis Lloyd who touches down at the corner.

Wales lay siege to Australia’s line and it looked for all the world that Mackenzie Martin had scored but the ball was stripped from his grasp just as he was about to touch down.

Wales’ attack is beginning to fire and they are beginning to stress Australia

Wales are very lucky. Australia are so effective with the ball with their handling skills and the pace they are putting on the game causing Wales all manner of problems. They looked odds on to score their second try but were penalised for going off their feet.

Mackenzie Martin replaces second-row Evan Hill who has picked up an injury

That’s an excellent try for Australia who cross the whitewash for the 19th time this tournement. They are cutting Wales to bits out wide with outside centre Henry O’Donnell touching down.

As has been the case throughout the championship Wales have built a lot of pressure in the opposition 22 but are simply not clinical enough.

This is a positive start for Wales who stretch Australia in order to find the edges. They win a penalty for a high tackle and have a five metre lineout

Dan Edwards gets us underway in Cape Town.

Both sides take the field ready to sing the national anthems.

If Wales U20s were to win today they’d finish fifth which would be their highest finishing position since they reached the final in 2013. It would also ensure a more favourable seeding for next season’s competition.

Wales U20s captain Ryan Woodman:

“This competition has been a great experience for all of us, and the players around me have made it a lot easier to be captain. It has been a massive turnaround from the Six Nations.

“It is frustrating looking at the top four because one decision or bounce of the ball could have meant we made it. That’s all behind us now and all our focus is on finishing as high as we can.
“Australia have played New Zealand three times this summer and won twice, including the game out here. They are quite similar, but the Aussies have good shape and bring a lot of phase play.

“Their maul attack is quite good. We have reviewed all the clips of their games and looked for ways we can play around them and through them. We will go with our game plan and stick to it.”

Head coach Mark Jones:

“A lot of things came together on what we had been working on against Georgia. It felt like we had put on a more polished performance together around our whole game.

“We’re expecting a much more expansive game, not that Georgia aren’t an expansive team but the conditions in Paarl were quite difficult underfoot and the ball was a little bit greasy so we couldn’t move the ball into space.

“The pitch is going to be wider, drier and the weather prospects a little bit better overhead. I think Australia will look to move the ball to the edges a lot more efficiently than Georgia so they provide a different challenge. But I’m confident if we get the defence right like we did against Georgia, we can deal with it.”

Join us for live updates of Wales U20s’ final game of the World Championship in South Africa.

Victory for Mark Jones’ side today would secure a respectable fifth place finish but they will have their work cut out against a strong Australia U20s side who beat New Zealand U20s last week.