Wales U-20s have nothing to fear from Baby Boks, says Danny Wilson
2:40pm Saturday 15th June 2013 in Wales Rugby
By Iwan Davies
PROMISING PLAYER: Newport Gwent Dragons back rower Ieuan Jones is a key man for Wales Under-20s
WALES Under-20s head coach Danny Wilson believes his side can go one better than last year and make it through to their first ever IRB Junior World Championship final.
Wales face reigning champions South Africa on Tuesday (kick-off 5.15pm) in the semi-finals at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.
Newport Gwent Dragons full back Hallam Amos and Ospreys outside half Sam Davies were the stars of the show as unbeaten Wales triumphed 25-20 over Argentina on Thursday to top their group.
Amos scored a superb individual try and Davies was in excellent form with the boot, kicking 20 points after slotting over five penalties, a drop goal and conversion.
Wales had previously hammered Samoa 42-3 before overcoming Scotland 26-21 to go through to the last four in their other pool games.
Speaking about Thursday’s bruising win over the highly physical Los Pumitas, former Dragons forwards coach Wilson said: “The boys showed a huge amount of character to come through against Argentina in the end.
“We played some good rugby in the first half, but our performance level dropped off slightly in the second half and Argentina came back hard.
“It was brutal, as we expected, and we have a lot of bumps and bruises to nurse before Tuesday’s game, but we defended well and we are now in a good position to kick on.”
On the Baby Boks, Wilson added: “South Africa are world champions, they are a very good side.
“But we are confident that if everyone can recover in time to be available for Tuesday’s semi, we can compete with the best in the world.
“We showed that last year by beating New Zealand, and we have showed already in this tournament that we are able to mix up our game plan depending on the opposition.
“Argentina beat South Africa twice before coming to France so, although we respect all our opponents, we have nothing to fear.”
South Africa also finished top of their group with three victories from three.
Last week the South Africans beat an England team (31-24) who put Wales to the sword 28-15 to retain their Six Nations crown at Colwyn Bay back in March, the home team bidding for a Grand Slam that night.
And South Africa also smashed the USA 91-0 in their group before knocking hosts France out on Thurs-day following a narrow 26-19 victory.
Wales finished the tournament in third place last year after a 25-17 win over Argentina in a play-off when the competition was held in South Africa.
That memorable campaign saw Wales record an all too rare win over New Zealand at any level.
They celebrated a shock 9-6 success at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, with penalties kicked by Dragons wing Tom Prydie and Ospreys fly half Matthew Morgan.
The Baby Blacks gained their revenge in the semi-finals, beating Wales with ease 30-6.
This year’s other last four showdown sees England up against the Baby Blacks in the same venue as Wales on Tuesday.
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Or