The Junior Wallabies narrowly lost to Wales in their opening match of the World Rugby U20s Championship in France.
Both sides scored two tries a piece but it was the boot of Welsh kicker, Cai Evans that proved the difference from penalties.
Australia will be left to rue not being able to close out the game with the Junior Wallabies dominating possession in the second half.
“We lost the game. We really didn’t play the way we should of. We played in the right areas of the field, but we couldn’t execute any plays or build any pressure. Full credit to Wales they are a quality outfit,” Junior Wallabies Captain Ryan Lonergan said.
“We can take (positives) that we were still in the match in the last play, even though we didn’t play the way we wanted to.
“We made a lot of errors that we shouldn’t be making so I guess that’s a positive, but it really is back to the drawing board. We need to fix those things because it’s not good enough.”
Australia started the match well, with a fast-moving Junior Wallabies marching well into Welsh territory, off the back off two Welsh penalties.
Australia’s dominance at the set piece gave the Junior Wallabies a penalty advantage well inside the 22, with Bayley Kuenzle kicking for his winger, James Ramm who jumped over his opposite number and batted the ball into the arms of Mack Hansen for Australia’s first try.
The lead changed hands again, with Wales countering of a try of their own with a deft kick behind the defence allowing Nicholas Jones to score and gives Wales an 8-13 lead.
Australia narrowed the gap almost immediately with a penalty to Ryan Lonergan, bringing the score to 11-13.
Wales was able to find a gap in the Australian defence just before the break, with Corey Baldwin crossing the line for Wales’ second try and moving the scoreboard to 11-20.
Both kickers traded penalties in the opening ten minutes of the second half, bringing the score to 14-23, as the Junior Wallabies fought to regain the lead.
The kicking off Cai Evans proved to be a real advantage for Wales as the young man’s accuracy with the boot with another penalty moved the deficit to 12 points (14-26) in the 58th minute.
Australia was left to rue missed opportunities in the second half, with some last touches not coming off for the Junior Wallabies when Wales was being placed under pressure.
A late try in the 77th minute to Tate McDermott closed the gap, but Wales had done enough, holding onto their 26-21 lead.
Australia will next play Japan on Sunday 3 June.
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