Dragons RFC full back Huw Anderson crossed the whitewash as Wales and New Zealand shared 11 tries in a breathtaking encounter in the opening Pool A clash of the Under-20 World Championship - but it was the Baby Blacks who secured the spoils with a 41-34 victory at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town.
It was a record score for Wales against the Baby Blacks while five tries ensured they took two bonus points, despite the defeat.
Louie Hennessey crossed twice while full-back Anderson and 17-year-old Steffan Emanuel also went over at Athlone Sports Stadium.
Wales battled hard throughout and, though an opening victory never seemed likely, they ensured a nervy ending for New Zealand when Macs Page’s 79th-minute try cut the deficit to just seven points.
Wales are next in action on Thursday (June 4) when they face Spain Under-20s.
Wales U20s: Huw Anderson (Dragons RFC); Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Macs Page (Scarlets), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC, capt), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).
Replacements: Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Lucca Setaro (Scarlets), Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby).
