New Zealand produced a stirring revival with decisive tries either side of halftime to overcome Wales 30-6 in the first junior world rugby championship semifinal, played at Newlands overnight, (NZT) as the defending champions reached their fifth-successive tournament final.
Their reward is to play hosts, South Africa, who overpowered Argentina 35-3 in front of nearly 20,000 fans, in the final on Saturday morning. (NZT)
The Baby Blacks had been hurting since the 9-6 loss to Wales in round two and were determined to set the record straight in the semifinal and keep New Zealand on track to remain the only nation to lift the junior world championship trophy.
Wales, playing in their first semifinal since the inaugural tournament in 2008, started brightly and moved into a 6-0 lead courtesy of two penalties by wing Tom Prydie, who had kicked the winning penalty to create history in the pool stages.
Ihaia West missed his first kick at goal but by the half-hour mark the scores were level and New Zealand were starting to look dangerous, threatening the Welsh line with regularity but it was not until two minutes before half-time that they hit the front with Jimmy Tupou's try.
