Baby Blacks beat Wales

A hat-trick of tries in the opening twenty minutes by Kiwi centre Robert Fruean put the result beyond doubt, although there was a spirited fightback by Sam Warburton’s side as they got to grips with the pace and power of the pre-tournament favourites.

It proved to be an eventful first half for rising Wellington star Fruean as he also picked up a yellow card shortly after spearheading his side into a 17-0 lead. Wales made the most of his absence with a try by Maesteg outside half Gareth Owen, which Leigh Halfpenny converted to cut the gap to ten points.

A penalty just before the break by the New Zealand outside half Trent Renata made it 20-7 at half-time and then left wing Kade Poki raced into the corner for try number four for the young All Blacks. The Welsh response was a stunning try for Bridgend prop Ryan Bevington after a Josh Turnbull interception with Dan Evans knocking over the conversion.

At 25-14 there was just a chance that Wales might spring a surprise, but the men in black ran in two final tries to round off a good evening’s work, the last one from replacement Luke Braid while Wales replacement outside half David Langdon was in the sin bin for arguing with the referee.

Scorers:
Wales: Tries: G Owen, R Bevington. Cons: L Halfpenny, D Evans
New Zealand: Tries: R Fruean (3), K Poki, R Crotti, L Braid. Cons: T Renata, D Kirkpatrick. Pen: T Renata

Wales U19:
Daniel Evans (Llanelli/Scarlets)
Jimmy Norris (Bedwas/Dragons)
Luke Ford (Wanderers/Blues)
Rhys Williams (UWIC/Scarlets)
Leigh Halfpenny (Neath/Ospreys)
Gareth Owen (Maesteg/Ospreys)
Rhys Webb (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Ryan Bevington (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Huw Dowden (Beddau/Blues)
Patrick Palmer (Llantrisant/Blues)
Nathan White (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Josh Turnbull (Llanelli/Scarlets)
Sam Warburton (Capt, Wanderers/Blues)
Nicholas Cudd (Tumble/Scarlets)
Lloyd Phillips (Narberth/Scarlets)

Replacements:
James Egan (Cardiff/Blues) for Halfpenny 48
Jevon Groves (Cardiff /Blues) for Phillips 54
Gareth Williams (Wanderers/Blues) for Webbe 60
David Langdon (Ebbw Vale/Dragons) for Owen 66