Wales U20s were underdogs in their fifth-place semi-final against Australia U20s, as hardly anyone gave Richard Whiffin’s side much chance.
Why? Australia arrived in Georgia as one of the Junior World Championships’ most highly rated sides, having produced some eye-catching performances.
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Wales, meanwhile, headed into the contest at their new second home, Avchala Stadium, still licking their wounds after the disappointment of missing out on a semi-final spot after a defeat to South Africa.
It would have been easy for Whiffin’s side’s heads to have dropped. Instead, they produced one of the performances of the tournament in a complete nail-biter. That wasn’t the first time Wales had provided more drama than a Christmas special edition of EastEnders; they did so against the host nation, Georgia, to start their campaign on the front foot.
That contest seems like an eternity ago, after what happened in Wales’ encounter against the Junior Wallabies. The Welsh youngsters claimed a big southern hemisphere scalp for the first time since 2019 against New Zealand. For many of this new U20s side, they were just getting used to secondary school life at that point.
Australia had thought they had won the semi-final with a 79th-minute dagger by Jonty Fowler, but it was chalked off after the TMO saw a knock-on. There were remarkable celebrations from those in gold, but that soon turned to Welsh relief.
“It was a good game, but we were a bit frustrated we nearly coughed it up,” admitted Whiffin.
“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves. We had some flashes of brilliance and some things the boys will have to learn to be better at.
“But that is probably the nature of age grade rugby, isn’t it? But, it was the first time we have beaten a southern hemisphere team since 2019 so this group of lads are getting used to competing and beating big teams.
“We are a dangerous team with ball in hand, we have some really good individuals that really make the team click so it’s a pleasure to watch our team with the ball.”
Heads dropped before pure jubilation, which was so pure on the Welsh youngsters’ faces that co-captain Deian Gwynne was welling up. It was a resilient effort that has been missing from Welsh sides in recent years.
Arguably, they are now the benchmark in Welsh rugby. It felt like an upset, the kind that takes a moment to sink in. On paper, it was. Some even called it a mismatch, but it’s those contests in any sport that are the most intriguing.
It leaves supporters with one question: what if?
Wales were tipped as outsiders for this World Championship, but have a date set with Scotland to determine who will finish in fifth in Georgia. Whatever happens now is a bonus, but Wales will undoubtedly strive for their best Junior World Championship since finishing runners-up in 2013.
Perhaps the biggest positive to take is what this result against Australia says about the future. For so long, many have sought reasons for optimism, and under head coach Whiffin, they continue to show that the player production line remains capable of delivering talent.
Caio James was Wales’ top performer in defence against Australia with 20 tackles and won his side two turnovers. Co-captains Gwynne and Steffan Emanuel are continuing to shine, whilst tight-head Jac Pritchard has gone about his business in Georgia quietly but is just as impactful.
Wins like this gain far greater widespread attention; it’s deserving. But it is also a reminder that Welsh rugby has talented players. Coaches are still developing players.
Some have thrown their names into the hat for selection for the 2027 senior World Cup in Australia, bold, over the top, possibly. But this side has shown togetherness and is willing to bite down on their gumshields and deliver.
Was it an upset? Possibly. Was it a surprise? Perhaps. But after watching this group throughout the championship, this may now lead to other nations stopping to underestimate them.
”We played them (Scotland) in a warm-up before we came out here so we know each other well, coaches know each other well and the players know each other pretty well,” said Whiffin.
“They have had a great tournament as well to get themselves into the 5th place final. We’ll know a lot about each other but that makes it even more exciting. There will be a few extra things we’ll have to come up with to try and hurt them.
“If we beat Scotland it will be four wins from five games in the tournament. The loss being to South Africa who are in the final. Just looking at the calibre of teams here our results have been a big fillip for us.
“We want to finish four from five and send those boys off who are finishing their U20 careers in really strong fashion.”
They have earned the right to be taken seriously, and will leave this tournament with many labelled as the next generation of leading Welsh rugby back towards brighter days.
With that said, focus will be firmly on Scotland, but are Wales now favourites to finish fifth? I wouldn’t want to bet against them?
Wales 20s team to play Scotland U20s;
15 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
14 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steff Emanuel (Co-capt) (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets);
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
1 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Scarlets)
5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby)
7 Caio James (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Deian Gwynne (Co-Capt) (Gloucester Rugby)
Replacements:
16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
17 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
19 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
20 Sam Morgan (Ospreys)
21 Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears)
22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Bailey Cutts (Bath Rugby)
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