Under-19 World Cup Semi-final/ New Zealand 36 Wales 12: For those who have witnessed the intimidating power game of South Africa during this tournament the following statement will be hard to fathom: New Zealand are bigger, faster and even possess superior skills.
New Zealand didn't need to leave third gear to beat the Welsh for the second time in this tournament last night. They raced into a 23-3 lead after 22 minutes with three stunning tries from a backline that all seem to have cloned the running style of All Black Mils Muliaina. They glide over the turf as if ice skating.
First, inside centre Jackson Willison threw a dummy to open up half a gap. He was gone. Next Trent Renata, supposed to be an outhalf but deputising for their best strike runner, Israel Dagg, picked a great line before brushing off the last defender.
Then winger Zach Guildford finished off a remarkable bout of continuity to open up an unassailable lead.
The Welsh management reacted by replacing their halfback partnership with Rhys Webb and David Langdon, who immediately added pace to their side's approach.
Langdon lasted seven minutes before having his cheekbone fractured after a fierce tackle from Kiwi number eight Liukanasi Manu.
The second-half was a forgettable affair with Winston Stanley eventually breaking the Welsh defensive line in injury-time.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins: T Renata pen, 3-0; 7: J Willison try, 8-0; T Renata con, 10-0; 11: L Halfpenny pen, 10-3; 14: T Renata pen, 13-3; 17: T Renata try, 18-3; 22: Z Guildford try, 23-3; 34: L Halfpenny pen, 23-6; 35: L Halfpenny pen, 23-9. Half-time. 38: L Halfpenny pen, 23-12; 41: T Renata pen, 26-12; 64: T Renata pen, 29-12; 69: W Stanley try, 34-12; T Renata con, 36-12.
NEW ZEALAND: T Renata; Z Guildford, R Fruean, J Willison, K Poki; D Kirkpatrick, W Ngaluafe; R Ah You, A Dixon, B Afeaki; C Smith (capt), S Whitelock; P Saili, L Braid, L Manu. Replacements: Q McDonald for Dixon (50 mins); P Fa'anunu for Ah You (52 mins); J Hardie for Braid, W Stanley for Willison (both 58 mins); J Townsend for Saili (65 mins); S Maitland for Poki (67 mins); T Crowley for Whitelock (69 mins).
WALES: D Evans; J Norris, L Ford, R Williams, L Halfpenny; G Owen, G Williams; R Bevington, H Dowden, L Elliott; H Pugh, J Turnbull; J Groves, N Cudd, S Warburton (capt). Replacements: T Williams for Ford (23 mins); R Webb for G Williams, D Langdon for Owen (both 25 mins); J Egan for Langdon (30 mins); L Philips for Norris (half-time).
Referee: N Paterson(Scotland).
