A spirited 2500-strong crowd watched the first international at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay as Wales Under 18s succombed to a strong Australian Schools XV by six points to ten.
Despite the wintery conditions, both sides were committed in defense and attack and produced a competitive encounter.
After an even opening ten minutes, Australia managed to find a gap in the Welsh defence, sending left wing Kimami Sitauti over for a try. Outside half Rohan Saifoloi added the conversion.
Despite missing an earlier penalty, Wales full back Dale Ford slotted a long range goal on 21 minutes to reduce the deficit.
Wales came out with intent after the break and early pressure very nearly produced a try in the corner for North Walian wing George North but he was deemed by RFU referee Greg Garner to fall short of the line.
The home pressure did bring a second penalty for Ford to bring Simon King’s side to within a point of the young Aussies but it was Australia who had most of the try scoring opportunities in the second half, thwarted for the most part by the slippery weather conditions causing dropped passes. In the end, a second penalty for vice-captain Saifoloi secured the win for the visitors.
Wales head coach Simon King was pleased with the way his youngsters dealt with the experience.
“The boys gave their all and did almost everything asked of them. I don’t think there was much between the two sides. Australia were a very physical challenge but our line-out was pleasing and our scrum took them on. We were slightly naive if anything with our main try scoring opportunity, but that is all part of the development of these young men.
“The more we can play sides of the calibre of this Australian side, the better equipped our players will be when they come up against them later on in their international careers.”
Scorerers:
Wales:
Pens: Dale Ford (2)
Australian Schools:
Try: Kimami Sitauti
Con: Rohan Saifoloi
Pen: Rohan Saifoloi
Wales Under 18 v Australian Schools XV
Dale Ford; George North (Harry Robinson 65), Ben John (capt), Jack Gadd, Eli Walker; Lewis Robling (Joseff Griffin 65), Aled Davies (Daniel Davies 58); Lewis Smout (Rowan Jenkins 62), Ieuan Davies (Gareth Harvey 68), Rhodri Jones (Trystan Davies 51), Cory Hill (Luke Hamilton 68), Macauley Cook, Edward Siggery, Thomas Young (Callum Thomas 62), Ben Thomas
