WALES under-20s suffered a crushing 92-0 defeat to New Zealand in Round 2 of the IRB Junior World Championship in Rovigo.

The triple world champions were in destructive form, punishing every mistake and finishing every opportunity with clinical tries.

Wales were undone in the first minute when New Zealand opened up the Welsh defence, first right, then left for flanker Sam Cane to score in the corner.

Wales had some ball early on but were unable to get through the notorious New Zealand defence.

Despite Wales stealing an opposition line-out ball, New Zealand recovered possession and spun the ball wide for their second try via wing Charles Piutau, this time converted by Gareth Anscombe, taking the score to 12-0 within ten minutes of kick-off.

The third try was far too easy, with Piutau strolling through the Welsh defence for Cane to score his second score with Anscombe adding the extras.

The fourth, bonus point try came just before the 20 minute mark with full back Beauden Barrett going over in the right hand corner after quick handling left the Welsh defence for dead.

New Zealand were too powerful for Wales at the breakdown, and terrifically quick in the loose, punishing every mistake. Captain and No 8 Luke Whitelock, brother of All Blacks Sam and George scored their fifth try under the posts just before the half hour mark, Anscombe again converting, taking the score to 31-0.

Llanelli full back Liam Williams made Wales’ first break, kicking through for Owen Williams to chase, gaining the first real attacking position with a line-out within the New Zealand 22 but the youngsters were unable to capitalise and lost their line-out.

Wales lost another crucial line-out in their own 22 before half-time, and again, New Zealand were quick to pounce on the loose ball for lock Steven Luatua to score and Anscombe to convert, a score that was quickly followed by New Zealand’s seventh try, scored by Welsh born Rhys Llewellyn in the right hand corner, Anscombe converting from the touchline, taking the half-time score to 45-0.

They were at it again straight from the restart, centre Lima Sopoaga sprinting over to score under the posts.

Wales made brief inroads into the New Zealand 22, but breakdowns were a constant source of turnover ball and this time scrum half TJ Perenara raced over, Anscombe converting, with Sam Cane getting his hat trick a minute later, Anscombe again adding to his points tally. Charles Piutau got his brace at the next restart, taking the score to a humiliating 71-0.

A yellow card for Wales flanker Ed Siggery made matters worse, New Zealand quickly taking advantage of the numerical advantage with Brad Shields next on the score sheet. Replacements Glen Robertson and Brad Weber also ran over for tries in the dying moments.

After the game head coach Richard Webster said: “The boys were understadably deflated immediately after the final whistle, we never really got started in the game, but New Zealand are a formidable side that will take a lot of teams apart.

“The positives are that we are still in the tournament, and with a bonus point win over Italy, we could still qualify for the top four.

“We have already started to put the game behind us and look forward to the next game on Saturday.”

  Wales: Liam Williams; Iolo Evans, Owen Williams (Matthew Morgan 40), Lewis Robling, Dale Ford (Ross Jones 70); Steve Shingler, Lewis Jones (Jonathan Evans 71); Rhodri Jones), Kirby Myhill (Jamie Sollis 65), WillGriff John (Will Taylor 65), Lloyd Peers (capt, Macauley Cook 42) Ospreys/ Bridgend), Cory Hill, Edward Siggery, Thomas Young, Owen Sheppeard (Luke Hamilton 50).

New Zealand: B Barrett; W Naholo, R Llewellyn, L Sopoaga, C Piutau; G Anscombe, TJ Perenara; S Sakalia, C Taylor, B Tameifuna, S Luatua, B Retallick, B Shields, S Cane, L Whitelock (capt) Replacements: S Setefano, M Kainga, D Bird, H Bedwell-Curtis, B Weber, F Saili, G Robertson

Referee: Greg Garner (RFU)