Fiji U20 lose despite halftime lead against Wales 05 June, 2012

Dan Baker of Wales being tackled by Michael Little of Fiji. Photo: Image SA.

Wales trailed at half time against Fiji, but took on board the words of coach Danny Wilson at half time and ended up with a convincing looking 44-18 victory to avenge their loss to Fiji in 2011. 

Tries from Daniel Thomas and Eli Walker – a late replacement for an ill Tom Prydie – began the recovery for Wales in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and they never looked back, scoring four further tries before the final whistle. 

Ireland players celebrated like they had won the title after causing a massive upset on day one of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 by beating hosts South Africa 23-19 to silence the home crowd at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. 

The final match at the University of Western Cape Stadium also resulted in an upset with Argentina fighting back from a 15-5 half-time deficit to beat France – considered another of the title contenders – 18-15. 

It doesn’t get any easier for Los Pumitas as they now face Australia on Friday, a side who laid down their title credentials with an 11-try, 62-17 rout of Scotland in the day’s opening match at the University of Western Cape Stadium in Cape Town. 

New Zealand, bidding for a fifth successive title, were equally impressive in posting a 21st successive win on the JWC stage, crossing for 10 tries in a 63-0 defeat of Samoa, back in the elite level after winning the Junior World Rugby Trophy last year. 

England were the other winners on day one, recovering from conceding an early try to Leonardo Sarto to overwhelm Italy 64-5 to top Pool B after the opening round, wing Marland Yarde scoring two of their seven tries at UWC. 

Video highlights - Wales v Fiji

Article and video highlights courtesy of irb.com