Ian Golden in Wollongong. Pic: Nikita Berriman
Wales bounced back after two defeats to run home as easy winners against the USA.
In what was a very polished performance from Wales, even with some of their experienced players rested ahead of the play-offs.
John Berriman, Jonny Gill and Fionn McCabe all scored their first Welsh tries, and all getting hat-tricks (four for Berriman). Gareth Ramsey scored two tries on his debut, Player of the Match Andrew Higgins kicked his 150th Welsh goal, and Matthew Turner scored his 50th try of the season for club and country.
Wales will now face the haka in wheelchairs for the first time on Monday as they take on the Wheel Kiwis at 11am to open the finals series.
But in this game, the Welsh were always in control. John Berriman gave Wales a three-minute lead with his first Wales try, scoring in the corner. Andrew Higgins couldn’t land the conversion, but did score Wales’ second try three minutes later and converted to give Wales a 10-0 lead.
Fionn McCabe went over for his first Wales try on ten minutes, and USA did well to prevent Wales from getting a fourth, tackling Stuart Williams as he reached down to score.
Berriman soon completed his hat-trick, with both tries scored in the corner. Higgins converted the second of them for his 150th Welsh goal.
Stuart Williams, Jonathan Gill (his first Wales try), McCabe and Higgins soon added further tries, with Higgins converting all four to bring the score up to 48-0.
USA were close to a first half try, but Wales defended well as Will Fox was denied twice on the line, tagged as he reached to score.
The first half ended with Gareth Ramsey bringing up the half-century as he scored on his debut, and was hugged by an emotional son, Sid, who was rested for this game. Higgins converted.
USA, 54-0 down at the break, started the second half well as Mack Johnson scored after just 20 seconds. Bill Johnstone landed the conversion.
Ramsey and Williams added further Wales tries with Higgins converting once, then USA got two further tries back. Fox eventually claimed his score before Johnson outpaced everyone to touch down. Johnstone converted both.
Berriman soon went over for his fourth of the match, Gill added two to complete his hat-trick, whilst McCabe also went over for his third. Higgins converted twice and Matthew Turner once.
Turner then finished the match on a high, scoring his 50th try of the season for club and country, converting it himself.
