Queensland Reds flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has guided Australia U20s to a 36-29 win over Wales.
McLaughlin-Phillips had a hand in a trio of Australian tries as they raced away with a 17-point lead.
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Wales centre Macs Page crossed for a hat-trick but the Aussies held on to book a spot in the fifth place playoff against Argentina.
Australia looked to start fast as they created several early opportunities in attack, with the young playmaker breaking the line in the opening seconds.
But Wales struck first as Isaac Young dived over from an 11th minute rolling maul.
Returning lock Harvey Condukes was quick to respond as the Aussies pressed their way to the Welsh line, stretching out to score right next to the posts.
Once again, Wales struck against the run of play when some loose play presented the chase for flyer Page to toe ahead and race 60 metres for the try.
The relentless pressure of the Aussies left Wales struggling discipline-wise, leading to the yellow carding of Rhodri Lewis.
This brought Australia back into the contest as McLaughlin-Philips put centre Kadin Pritchard over after a perfect crash ball.
Four minutes later, they won the tighthead scrum and winger Archie Saunders sprinted away to extend the lead to 12 at the break.
McLaughlin-Phillips picked up from where he left off after the break, sneaking through the defence to find captain Toby Macpherson for a comfortable try.
Wales kept fighting and fullback Matty Young’s try in the corner gave them hope, answered by another McLaughlin-Phillips bomb that opened the space for fullback Shane Wilcox, finding vice-captain Dan Nelson on the inside.
Two tries to Page in four minutes suddenly put the Welsh in striking distance and they were awarded one last chance to push for extra-time.
In the end, young gun Austin Durbidge came up with the game-sealing turnover to seal the win.
Australia U20 36 (Tries: Cordukes, Pritchard, Saunders, Macpherson, Nelson; Cons: McLaughlin-Phillips 4; Pens: McLaughlin-Phillips) def Wales 29 (Tries: Page 3, Young 2; Cons: Wilde, Ford)
