Wales vs New Zealand U20 Predictions - Tight contest between New Zealand and Wales predicted

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 27 Jun 2024

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Marc Thomas 27 Jun 2024

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Predictions for Wales vs New Zealand U20 in the World Rugby U20 Championship on Saturday
Baby All Blacks won the 2024 Rugby Championship
Can Wales push New Zealand in their opening game?

Expired

Can Wales push New Zealand in their opening game? (Getty Images)

Wales vs New Zealand U20 Predictions

These two met in the group stage of this tournament last season, a match the Baby All Blacks won by a point. While the teams are vastly different, Wales will be fresh and competitive in the opening game. I fancy them getting within 25 points.

Wales vs New Zealand U20 Predictions
Head to Head
Wales U20 Form
Wales U20 Injuries & Team News
New Zealand U20 Form
New Zealand U20 Injuries & Team News

Wales lost 3 of their 5 Six Nations games this year.
Wales lost by a point in their last encounter against New Zealand.
New Zealand won the 2024 U20 Rugby Championship.

Head to Head

These two met in last year’s World Rugby Championship group stage. New Zealand were poor on that occasion, but they managed to sneak a 27-26 win.

Wales U20 Form

Wales have struggled in recent years, both at U20 and national level. Earlier this year the Welsh finished second from bottom in the Six Nations.

Over the course of the Six Nations campaign, Wales managed to beat Scotland and Italy, but lost comfortably to France, Ireland and England.

In the 2023 World Rugby Championship, Wales finished third in their pool, losing to New Zealand and France. They did however beat Japan.

In the fifth place playoff, Wales beat Georgia 40-21 before going down 57-33 to New Zealand.

Wales U20 Injuries & Team News

Wales have a similar squad to what they had during the Six Nations this year. They can be competitive on their day but over 80 minutes they tend to struggle against top quality sides.

New Zealand U20 Form

New Zealand have been disappointing at U20 level for some time. They have won a record number of World Rugby Championships, but it has been a while since they won it.

The Baby All Blacks showed some good signs earlier this year when they won the U20 Rugby Championship. After a draw against South Africa, they beat Australia and Argentina to secure the title.

In the 2023 World Rugby Championships, New Zealand beat Georgia to finish seventh after finishing second in their pool behind France.

New Zealand U20 Injuries & Team News

New Zealand have a quality side and should be strong enough to see off Wales. They will start the tournament with their strongest side.

Verdict

Wales v New Zealand U20

My best bet is for Wales to get within 25 points of New Zealand.

Wales +25

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