Fresh from reaching the quarter finals of the Japan Sevens where they were eventually knocked out on day two in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Australia, Paul John’s men have cemented seventh spot on the overall series points table with 71. With two rounds remaining, New Zealand are the pacesetters with 128 with Fiji close behind on 122.
Wales entered the Cup knockout stages at the Japan Sevens in the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium brimming with confidence after reaching the quarter-finals without losing a game in the pool stages on an opening day where unseasonal monsoon conditions made running rugby a difficult proposition.
Australia burst out of the blocks in the opening spell to score three first half converted tries through Scott McMahon, Daniel Yakopo and Allan Fa’alava’au. Cardiff Blues youngster Harry Robinson crossed in the first half and with Alex Walker adding the conversion, Wales trailed 21-7 at the break.
Despite keeping the Aussies scoreless in the second half, Wales had left themselves too much to do. Richard Smith raced away to score the only try of the second half but it wasn’t enough as Australia held out for a 21-14 victory.
The defeat then sent Wales directly to the Plate semi-final where South Africa proved too strong, winning 22-10. Ifan Evans and Will Thomas, in just his second tournament for Wales, scoring tries.
“It’s been a huge effort from the boys over the past two weeks,” said skipper Richie Pugh. “We were gutted to miss out in the quarter-finals against Australia but fair play to them. They deserved to win the tournament.”
