KEY POINTS:
New Zealand are one match away from claiming the inaugural world junior rugby championship title after a slick 31-6 victory over hosts Wales in this morning's semifinal in Newport.
In the final on Monday morning (NZT), New Zealand will meet England who beat South Africa 26-18 in the other semifinal.
The New Zealand under-20 side made light of the rainy conditions at the Rodney Parade ground to run home four tries in a polished performance.
An overwhelmed Wales never came close to threatening the New Zealand try-line and counted only two penalties by wing Leigh Halfpenney for their points.
In the conditions, New Zealand kept the ball mostly tight and the forwards delivered a dominating performance in which the burly front row of Ben Afeaki, Quentin MacDonald and Paea Fa'anunu were outstanding.
Hooker MacDonald opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes and Fa'anunu followed soon after. Fullback Trent Renata missed both conversions but New Zealand had a handy 10-3 lead into the breather.
As a labouring Wales ran out of steam in the second half, New Zealand changed gears and unleashed their lethal backline containing Super 14 players - Kade Poki at centre, and wings Sean Maitland and Zac Guildford.
Renata extended New Zealand's lead with two penalties and then No 8 Nasi Manu finished off a sweeping backline move in the left corner.
Renata missed the conversion but made amends by kicking his third penalty to put New Zealand well ahead at 24-6.
Wales left themselves a mountain to climb when hooker Ryan Prosser was sin-binned with eight minutes to go.
The best try of the match came when Guildford collected the ball on the right just outside his 22 and accelerated diagonally across the half line before releasing left wing Maitland for a unchallenged touchdown.
New Zealand 31 (Quentin MacDonald, Paea Fa'anunu, Nasi Manu, Sean Maitland tries, Trent Renata 3 pen, con) Wales 6 (Leigh Halfpenny 2 pen). Halftime: 10-6.
- NZPA
