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New Zealand 46 Wales 0 Griffith University Nathan Campus
Wales outclassed in Student World Cup opener
In losing 46-0 to World Champions, New Zealand in their World Cup opener, the Welsh players classed this match as the hardest they have ever played.

“It was tough for the lads today". said Welsh coach, Wayne Williams. “We were outclassed but not disgraced. We made a few mistakes in the first half especially and this must be ironed out before we face Scotland on Wednesday.

It’s not as if Wales played a particularly bad game, they were simply outclassed at ever level - fitness, strength, speed and sheer size of the players were all positive qualities that the Kiwis had over the inferior Wales side who became the first Wales open-age side to remain scoreless in a match since 1949.

Man-of-the-match Jimmy O’Brien improved after a poor start missing a penalty in the fourth minute. He made amends two minutes later by setting up Tim Cahill in the corner before adding a penalty then forcing his way over himself in the 14th minute.
Following a Mark Burke knock-on in the 32nd minute, O’Brien then set up Andrew Auimatagi under the sticks to make it 20-0.

Wales came close to scoring either side of the break as Neil Davies was held up centimetres from the line on the final tackle while a Ben Smith 50-metre run a few minutes into the second half was brought to a halt by Paul Aitkens.

However, New Zealand were not going to let Wales through and secured the match with five more tries.
 

Adam Donaldson ran past three Welsh defenders to make it 26-0 in the 58th minute.Andreas Bayer set up Cahill in the 63rd before scoring a try himself three minutes later. Cahill got his hat-trick five minutes later before a breakaway try from Jamie McDonald completed the rout in the very last minute.

Gamebreaker: Adam Donaldson’s try in the 58th minute started a second half rout to kill off the Welsh.

Gamestar: Jimmy O’Brien who was involved in just about every New Zealand scoring move.

NEW ZEALAND: Paul Aitkens, Sam Jacobsen, Andreas Bayer, Mike Nathan, Tim Cahill, Mike Craig, Jamie McDonald, Chris Tupou, Jimmy O’Brien, Henry Heke, James Kolomantangi, George Taunga, Andrew Auimatagi. Subs (all used): Daniel McGregor, Tala Paleaasini, Aina Masina, Adam Donaldson, Daniel Bell, Sione Taynyn.
Tries: Cahill (6, 63, 72), O'Brien (14), Auimatagi (32), Donaldson (58), Bayer (66), McDonald (80).
Goals: O'Brien 7/10

WALES: Matt Jackson, Ben Smith, Geraint Davies, Dean Scully, Austin Saunders, Phil Carleton, Pete Moore, Dewi Scourfield, Daniel ap Dafydd, Jason Massey, Matt Drew, Gareth Morgan, Neil Davies. Subs (all used): Dennis Pugh, Mark Burke, Mark Dando, Gavin Curry, Neil Hesketh, Gareth Thirsk.

Men of the match
New Zealand - Jimmy O'Brien.
Wales - Gareth Morgan.
Referee - Matthew Hawkins (Australia). Half-time: 20-0

Article by Ian Golden
2 Jul 2005

 



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