Try-scoring hooker Sam Scarfe believes Wales Under-20s must keep on fighting and believing as they target Japan in their second pool game at the World Rugby U20 Championships this Thursday (kick-off 1.00pm).
Wales will be looking to build on the two points they picked up in their narrow 27-26 defeat to the Baby Blacks in Paarl.
Having led 19-5 at the break, Ryan Woodman’s men had to withstand a major fightback in the third quarter in which New Zealand scored three tries and 22 unanswered points.
Back came Wales to create opportunities to win the game with fly half Dan Edwards just missing a 40-metre penalty and Scarfe having a try ruled out from a driving line-out.
Dragons RFC hooker Scarfe did grab a try late on with Edwards converting from the touchline to get Wales within a point of their rivals.
Scarfe believes Wales must look to take momentum from the two points gained against New Zealand when they face a Japanese side that conceded 11 tries in a 75-12 defeat to France.
“We should have won,” said Scarfe. “In the first half we played our way, played how we wanted to, and we got the points.
“They kicked very well in the second half and that’s what killed our game and our momentum.
“It’s a tough one to take, but we’ve just got to keep moving forward, keep our heads up and look forward to Thursday against Japan.
“We showed what sort of team we are by keeping on fighting to the very last minute,” he added.
“We need to get a few things right in the middle and we can go far. There is still all to play for, and those two points will be vital for us.
“It was great to score against the Baby Blacks, but now it is all about building on that performance and targeting Japan.”
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It’s a tough one to take, but we’ve just got to keep moving forward, keep our heads up and look forward to Thursday against Japan...
