Phil Davies’ Wales Under 20 side got their IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship up and running with a convincing 51-5 victory over Tonga at the Best Amenity Stadium in Fukuokoa, Japan.
Wearing their away strip of gold shirts and black shorts, the Welsh were quickly into their stride and prop Simon Gardiner scored a try after only one minute. Matthew Jarvis converted and, although he enjoyed mixed fortunes with the boot, the fly half added two penalties to build a 13-0 lead inside the first 25 minutes.
With neither side seemingly able to break the defensive stranglehold in midfield, it was eventually a fine run by Welsh number 8 Rory Pitman that set the game alight. From a resulting rushed kick by the islanders, Wales full back Daniel Newton sparked a bright attack which was finished off in fine fashion by captain Justin Tipuric, a member of the team that competed last year on home soil.
Jarvis converted to make the score 20-0 in Wales’ favour and then on the stroke of half time he slotted another three-pointer resulting from indiscipline, which saw both Kolio Hifo and Seilame Tuku’afu yellow carded for Tonga and taking the half-time score to 23-0.
Down to 13 men for 10 minutes, the Tongans battled to contain the Welsh after the break but only a tired knock-on deprived them of their first try with the line begging. Wales countered to score again through Tipuric to make the score 30-0.
The islanders were now galvanised, however, and although the more polished Welsh scored again 20 minutes later through new cap Lloyd Williams, the Tongans also enjoyed their brightest moment of the match when Sione Mulikhaamea chased a hack-through to score their only try on 71 minutes.
With fatigue taking its toll on Tonga in the final stages, Wales wing Nick Reynolds plucked a wayward pass to race away for an intercept try before lock forward Ashley Sweet rounded off the scoring.
Wales coach Phil Davies said: “I was very pleased with the first game, both the effort of the players and the style of play. We tried to keep the ball moving through the hands and play fast rugby.
“The forwards laid a great platform for the backs to express themselves and one of the most pleasing aspects was the way we put all our training field work into our match day performance, something we have been striving for all season. It shows what sustained preparation can achieve.
“Tonga are a physical side but we more than matched that physical challenge in attack and defence.
“A special mention must go to our new caps, all of whom produced exceptional performances tonight. We have completed the video analysis for the players, we have a much needed rest day tomorrow (Saturday) and look forward to playing Canada on Tuesday.
Wales captain Justin Tipuric added: “It was a great team performance, we’ve been working all year on our structure and it just shows how much we’ve improved as a team.”
Wales scorers:
Tries: Justin Tipuric (2), Simon Gardiner, Lloyd Williams, Nick Reynolds, Ashley Sweet
Cons: Matthew Jarvis (4), Daniel Newton (2)
Pens: Matthew Jarvis (3)
Wales team: Daniel Newton (Scarlets academy/ Llanelli); Jamie Loxton (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Jason Harries (Carmarthen Quins), Ashley Beck (vice-captain, Ospreys academy / Aberavon) (Scott Williams (Scarlets academy / Llanelli 66), Nick Reynolds (Llanelli); Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath) (Jamie Davies (Carmarthen Quins 67), Lloyd Williams (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers) (Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd 67); Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy /Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd) (Craig Attwell (Dragons academy/ Newbridge 66), Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Llanelli) (Owen Evans (Llandovery) 66), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon) (James Thomas (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale 67), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), Justin Tipuric (capt, Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Rhys Jenkins (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale) (Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers 48), Rory Pitman (Ospreys academy / Bridgend / Taranaki)
