Wales claim two losing bonus points vs New Zealand in stirring opener

Wales U20s open their campaign with a seven-point defeat to New Zealand but they finish with two losing bonus points.

Richard Whiffin will be proud of his players who fought until the very end with a number of outstanding individual performances not least from No 8 Morgan Morse and centre Louie Hennessey.

Wales just don’t know when they are beaten. They put New Zealand under pressure and Macs Page powers over with Harri Ford adding the extras.

Surely they can’t come back to draw this?

Wales will add least finish the game with a bonus point. It’s a lovely chip over the top by replacement scrum-half Lucca Setaro which is gathered by 17-year-old Steffan Emanuel who scores.

New Zealand put this game to bed and it just goes to show how dangerous they are. A-One Lolofie before passing to Xavier Tito-Harris who runs in to score.

Wales are throwing everything at the All Blacks but butcher two attacking five metres lineouts. They very nearly score soon after when a cross kick from Harri Wilde is taken by Aidan Boshoff who finds Louie Hennessey.

An outrageous offload from the Bath centre finds Boshoff but New Zealand’s scramble defence keeps Wales at bay

Morgan Morse has been sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle where he lifts the player above the horizontal. It goes to the TMO bunker so it could be upgraded to a red but Wales will hope not

Wales hit back with a tremendous individual try from Louie Hennessey. Harri Wilde adds the extras

All Blacks lock Tai Cribb powers over from short range off the back of a well worked driving lineout

Wales can feel aggrieved though because the officiating is sub standard at best. Prior to the try Wales worked an overlap with the New Zealand hooker intentionally knocking the ball forward yet the referee ignores it and gives the All Blacks a penalty.

New Zealand hit back. A clear forward pass from Aki Tuivailala is ignored by the officials as Xavi Taele scores at the corner.

Wales start the second-half well really stretching New Zealand. More of this is needed.

Rico Simpson gets the second-half underway.

Louie Hennessey’s try at the stroke of half-time has given Wales a glimmer of hope. Wales have looked dangerous with ball in hand but they can’t win enough possession.

One gets the sense they need to score first in the second-half to stand any chance of emerging victorious.

Wales really needed that. They lay siege to the All Blacks line with some short carries before a wonderful pass from Harri Wilde puts Louie Hennessey over for a try at the corner

Morgan Morse makes serious metres with a carry from his own 22 to get Wales on the front foot. Wales go wide and win a penalty

The All Blacks are in control of this game with their handling really stretching Wales. Xavi Taele hits a brilliant angle to score

It’s sensational from the All Blacks who attack deep from their own 22 with some phenomenal interplay seeing them end up 80 metres in the Wales 22. Wales are caught offside and New Zealand have a chance to go again

New Zealand are awarded a penalty try after Wales illegally sack a driving lineout. Osian Thomas is sent to the sin bin

New Zealand captain Vernon Basson charges up the line into the Wales 22 but Morgan Morse intervenes with a tremendous turnover.

Harri Wilde closes the gap to two points with three points off the kicking tee.

When Wales get their hands on the ball they look dangerous with full-back Huw Anderson looking deadly. Richard Whiffin’s side make headway in the New Zealand 22 and win a penalty

The All Blacks are starting to stretch Wales and Louie Hennessey is eventually caught offside. Rico Simpson nudges the All Blacks further ahead with three points from the kicking tee

That’s a very good response from Wales. They have New Zealand under pressure and a long looping pass from Louie Hennessey is taken by Aidan Boshoff who passes inside for Huw Anderson to score.

Wales win a penalty from a maul and Ieuan Davies tackes it quickly but is tackled high just short. Wales have a five metre lineout

That’s a sickener. Wales have momentum but All Blacks scrum-half Dylan Pledger intercepts Ieuan Davies’ pass to run in unopposed from halfway.

Rico Simpson nails the conversion from the touchline

It’s a let off for Wales as Rico Simpson misses a shot at goal

New Zealand start well by attacking down the blindside. Wales stop the attack but a knock on from Louie Hennessey gives the All Blacks a scrum with which they win a penalty from

Harri Wilde gets us underway

Wales face down the New Zealand haka as kick-off approaches

Both sides are on the field ready to sing the national anthems.

Elsewhere in the World Rugby U20s Championship France U20s have trashed Spain U20s 49-12 while England U20s recorded a thumping 40-21 victory over Argentina U20s.

This time last year Cameron Winnett and Mackenzie Martin were both representing Wales U20s in this very tournament.

They are now both senior internationals in Warren Gatland’s squad to tour Australia. So, who, in this current Wales U20s squad, will follow in their footsteps?

Here are the three players likely to play for Wales at senior level in the next two years?

Wales U20s have been boosted by the return of captain Ryan Woodman who was missing during the Six Nations.

The powerful blindside is one of the best prospects in Welsh rugby and is seen by many as a future senior international star in the making. Woodman’s leadership will be of big benefit for Wales while he will form a potent back-row alongside Lucas de la Rua and Morgan Morse.

A couple of weeks ago WalesOnline rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas spent the day with the Wales U20s squad.

The insight into what it takes to become a professional rugby player was incredible with no stone left unturned to ensure these players reach their potential. You can read all about it here. Behind the scenes with Wales U20s

Wales U20s kick-off their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against New Zealand U20s at Cape Town this evening.

Richard Whiffin’s side had a difficult Six Nations campaign but ended it with an impressive victory over Italy U20s in Cardiff. Confidence is high within the Wales squad but they couldn’t have asked for a tougher opener than a clash with the Junior All Blacks.

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