For 62 minutes Wales U21 were continually ravaged by Australia U21’s flanker Jone Qawake, who scored one of his side’s five tries and created three others. Australia U21 were 23-0 up and virtually out of sight at the interval as Mark Gerrard and Morgan Turinui crossed the Welsh try-line with Brock James converting both and adding three penalties.
Qawake waded in for his try shortly after the restart before Wales U21 managed to compose themselves and put some pressure upon the Australian defence. UWIC’s Nick Jones hit back for the young dragons with just ten minutes left on the board with a well-worked solo effort which Nicky Robinson, who had been Wales U21’s star of the tournament so far, converted to get seven points on the board for Chris Davey’s side.
Australia U21 took the score in their stride and it only served to add to the hunger of their attacking division and the young wallabies hit back with two quick-fire scores which epitomised the possession, flair and dominance that the Australians had demonstrated throughout the match. First Matthew Hodgson extended their lead with a try, then Matt Giteau powered in with a further try to extend the final scoreline to 43-7.
In the other semi-final South Africa U21 produced the shock of the round knocking out the favourites New Zealand U21 19-18 meaning Wales U21 were left to face the Baby Blacks in the third-fourth place play-off match.
