Dragons RFC ace Ryan Woodman is determined that Wales will build on the narrow defeat to the All Blacks as they prepare to face Spain in the U20s World Championships in South Africa.
Wales Under-20s lost out 41-34 to New Zealand in the opening game but deservedly took two points after running in five tries in Cape Town.
Woodman will again captain when Wales face Spain on Thursday (June 4) and is determined to secure a first win in the tournament.
“We can feel proud at the way we stuck at it, and we got two bonus points in the end, which didn’t seem likely just after half time when we went down 41-20,” said Woodman.
“Their counterattack was very good, and they have a flying back three. We’d be in their 22, lose the ball or give away a penalty, and then they could score at the other end – they finish off their counter attacks so well.
“If we’d tidied things up a bit, we could have won the game. That’s why we were so gutted at the end.
“Now we will have to review the game before taking on Spain. The Spaniards have got some big boys, and they gave France a good game, so we know we can’t take anything for granted when we meet them.”
The French, beaten by England in the Grand Slam decider at the end of the U20 Six Nations, opened the defence of their title with a 49-12 victory over new boys Spain. They now face New Zealand as they seek to stay on course to win a fourth title in a row and match the junior All Blacks record from 2008-2011.
We can feel proud at the way we stuck at it, and we got two bonus points in the end, which didn’t seem likely just after half time when we went down 41-20...
