WALES crashed to defeat to Fiji on the world stage again yesterday with the Pacific Islanders stunning Richard Webster’s Under-20s 34-20.
The Junior World Championship is proving to be a miserable tournament for the Welsh young guns, who were crushed 92-0 by New Zealand in the group stages.
Yesterday they suffered the same fate as the seniors did in Nantes in 2007’s World Cup.
Wales trailed 13-7 at the break in Padova with Scarlets winger Dale Ford crossing in the closing stages of the half, fly-half Matthew Morgan converting after missing two early penalties.
But Wales paid the price for indiscipline in the second half with Fiji’s Josateki Lalagavesi putting the boot in to end with a personal haul of 19 points.
Rhodri Jones and Steve Shingler went over for the Welsh but it was a comprehensive win for the Islanders despite both sides crossing for three tries.
It means that the best Webster’s side can manage is a seventh place finish while Warren Gatland will be hoping his charges can avoid yet another Fijian humbling in New Zealand this autumn.
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