With an average age of 22, Gareth Williams’s side were always going to be underdogs against the in-form Australians and Olympic champions Fiji, but their enthusiasm was undimmed going into their final match of the day.
Their chances of springing a surprise defeat on Australia were scuppered when, already 12 points down, they received a yellow card. The pace of Luke Morgan – who was reported to have reach a top speed of 21 mph in the act – bagged Wales a much-needed try in the second half, but by then the damage was done and Australia went on to register a 38-7 victory.
“We blew good opportunities in the first four minutes which resulted in them scoring from our turnover ball,” said Williams. “We knew it was going to be difficult against the form team in world sevens at this stage of the season.”
Against the Fijians, Wales were once again reduced to seven points – albeit a notable one, since it was scored by newcomer Cai Devine, a Durham University student and former touch rugby international – and it ended 21-7 to Gareth Baber’s side. It wasn’t without controversy either, with the Fijians fielding an extra player at a crucial period of the game.
Williams said: “We didn’t exert the pressure we know we can on Fiji as much as we wanted. I hesitate to use the world ‘shambolic’ with regard to the match officiating, but it led to us not getting the advantage we should have for two sin-binnings for Fiji.”
Still, across both matches Wales had shown enough glimpses of what they will be capable of as the season progresses. Heading into the meeting with Russia, they gave most of their debutants their first start of the day, and were repaid handsomely with five tries.
Of the newcomers, Cameron Lewis created two tries, and his namesake Tomi touched down twice – a promising sevens start for this year’s U20 and U18 players respectively. Treharne scored twice, with Adam Thomas the other try-scorer, to give Wales a good finish to what had been a day of hard competition in the UAE sun.
“The boys put in a real professional performance against Russia,” said Williams, “and it was great to see Cam Lewis, Phil Jones, George Gasson and Tomi Lewis all starting in the same team together.
“It was a positive day with much gained. The six new caps in the squad all started a match each, some more than one. There were positive glimpses in our play that will become more consistent as we get more rugby under our belts.
Wales will face France in today’s Challenge Trophy quarter-final at 05:52 GMT.
