This is what became of the young Wales team who somehow beat New Zealand against all odds in 2012

Wales Online
 
This is what became of the young Wales team who somehow beat New Zealand against all odds in 2012

It was classed as the most important Welsh victory over a New Zealand side since the senior Wales team defeated the All Blacks in 1953.

Afterwards, coach Danny Wilson came close to being overcome with pride, while skipper Kirby Myhill said “I can’t believe it” more than once.

But what happened to the Wales Under-20s team who delivered a stunning 9-6 success over their Kiwi counterparts at the Junior World Championship in 2012?

As this year's tournament starts in Argentina on Tuesday, MARK ORDERS takes a look...

15. ROSS JONES

Hailing from Llanelli, Jones was educated in Ireland and was part of the Leinster academy before returning to Wales in 2011 to play for the Ospreys.

The powerful full-back performed resolutely against New Zealand, maintaining the form he had shown throughout the tournament.

He left the Liberty for Rotherham in 2015 and is now playing semi-professional rugby in Scotland.

14. TOM PRYDIE

The weather was ghastly in Stellenbosch and goal-kicking hideously challenging, but Prydie nailed two match-winning kicks, both of which were eminently missable.

The Porthcawl product appeared so calm it looked as if he had eased himself off a hammock on a Jamaican beach to take the kicks, setting aside his shades and a cool drink as he did so.

His accuracy in the most unfavourable conditions was something to behold.   

He had already created history by becoming the youngest player to play for Wales in a senior international, at the age of just 18 years and 25 days against Italy in 2010.

Plays for the Scarlets.

13. CORY ALLEN

The rangy centre with a rapid turn of pace looked quite some prospect as a 19-year-old in the tournament in South Africa, regularly finding gaps in opposition defences.

Cardiff-born, the Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg-educated Allen spent time with Cardiff Blues before switching to the Ospreys.

He has won six Welsh caps along the way, the latest of which saw him feature against Samoa in 2017.

12. JACK DIXON

The powerful centre proved a handful in South Africa with his ability to cross the gain-line and his strong work over the ball.

He had earlier become the youngest player to feature in regional rugby when he made his Dragons bow at the age of 16 years and 313 days.

The 6ft 2in, 16st 7lb centre is up to 108 appearances for his region but is still waiting for a senior Welsh cap.

11. ELI WALKER

It wasn’t a day for wide-men, with the pitch resembling a chocolate blancmange and the rain and wind unrelenting.

But when Wales did move the ball, the lightning-quick Walker looked dangerous.

He also proved safe in defence.

Played 81 times for the Ospreys and won one Wales cap before sadly being forced to retire as a player because of injury at the age of just 25.

Dabbled in boxing since then and also had plans to work as a personal trainer. 

10. MATTHEW MORGAN

Missed three out of four shots at goal in the incessant rain but performed well otherwise, adapting to the elements and not taking needless risks.

A cavalier who mixes brilliant attack with defence that isn’t always watertight, Morgan had spells with the Ospreys and Bristol before returning to Wales with Cardiff Blues.  

Has five Wales caps but hasn’t played in a Test since 2015.

9. TOM HABBERFIELD

The man who orchestrated Wales’ win. In appalling conditions, the Bridgend product quickly realised it was impossible to play much rugby and so tortured the Baby Blacks with a series of hanging box kicks.

The scrum-half kept play simple and barely made an error in a hugely intelligent personal display.

Made 135 appearances for the Ospreys before being released last month. Being strongly linked with Cardiff RFC.   

1. ROB EVANS

The irrepressible Evans didn’t take a backward step at the Danie Craven Stadium, part of a front row that provided a firm foundation.

In 2018, after an outstanding autumn series, the Scarlet came in at 89th in the Rugby World magazine’s list of the top 100 players in the world.  

The 27-year-old is up to 35 senior caps and started four out of five matches in Wales’ recent Grand Slam campaign.

2. KIRBY MYHILL

Captain on the day, the hooker from Burry Port had a strong campaign and led from the front against New Zealand.

He subsequently found it hard to break through at the Scarlets, with Matthew Rees, Ken Owens and Emyr Phillips in front of him, so departed in 2016, signing for Cardiff Blues and since making 51 appearances for them.

3. SAMSON LEE

The Welsh scrum was excellent throughout the tournament and the squat, uncompromising Lee was central to that with his strength and low centre of gravity causing opponents all kinds of problems.

On a good day back then, the young Scarlet looked as if he might be capable of nudging Ayers Rock back an inch or two.

But injuries have punctuated his senior career and he has started just one Test over the past 15 months. 

4. RHODRI HUGHES

A late replacement on the day for captain Cory Hill, who withdrew with stomach trouble, Hughes stepped up to the mark as part of a Welsh front five that held their own.

Swansea born,  the Gower College-educated lock went on to spend time with the Ospreys, playing for Swansea and Bridgend before eventually settling with Aberavon, for whom he played 25 games last season.

5. MATTHEW SCREECH

The Church Village product had a stint in the Cardiff Blues set-up and made 45 appearances for Cardiff RFC.

A move to the Dragons followed, with Screech since playing 124 times for the Gwent region.

Had a storming game against the Scarlets on Judgement Day, scoring two tries, carrying well and fronting up in defence.

6. LUKE HAMILTON

The likeable blond-haired flanker trucked up the ball repeatedly against the Kiwis, crossing the gain-line and making ground.

His career path since has involved more than a bit of travelling, with Hamilton leaving Cardiff Blues for a spell in Agen, then decamping to Leicester Tigers before heading up to Edinburgh.

The Pembrokeshire-born back rower has featured three times for Scotland, qualifying through his  father, who hails from Stirling.

He left Edinburgh at the end of last season.

Where will his satnav take him next?

8. DAN BAKER

A key ball-carrier for Wales at the tournament in South Africa, with his quick feet buying him space and his penchant for offloading keeping countless moves alive.

Baker has three full caps in his locker but has been plagued by injuries in the senior game, the latest of which is a serious knee problem that has kept the Osprey sidelined for 18 months.

He was replaced on 61 minutes against the Baby Blacks by Dan Thomas, who won a vital turnover near his own try line in the dying minutes.

7. ELLIS JENKINS

The openside flanker had a terrific tournament, tearing into rucks and winning countless turnovers for his team.

He had ‘future Wales international’ stamped all over him.

Sure enough, the Cardiff Blue has graduated to senior Test level, winning 11 caps and earning the man-of-the-match award against South Africa last autumn.

Sadly, that game finished with Jenkins picking up a knee injury that is threatening to keep him out of the World Cup.