Cardiff Blues duo Hallam Amos and Josh Adams crossed the whitewash as Wales finished their Rugby World Cup campaign with a defeat to New Zealand in the bronze final.
Five Cardiff Blues players featured in the starting line-up in Tokyo - with a further two academy products in the matchday 23 - but despite a promising performance from Wales, New Zealand ran away with a 40-17 win.
Amos crossed in the first half, before Adams added his side’s second of the evening to extend his lead as the tournament’s top try scorer.
The defeat was Warren Gatland’s final game in charge of Wales following a successful 11-year spell.
It was a promising start for Wales in Tokyo, as Adams made an early break, but he couldn’t release the ball to the supporting Tomos Williams, with Sam Cane winning a turnover from the resulting breakdown.
New Zealand opened the scoring moments later, showing soft hands down the centre to create the opening.
Richie Mo’unga managed to offload to skipper Keiran Read, who’s deft touch released Broadie Retallick. The lock showed his class to release the ball out of the back, giving prop Joe Moody a clear path for the line.
Scrum half Williams provided a spark for his side, as a half break from the base of a scrum put Wales on the front foot. However, Adams tried his luck with a kick behind, which was swept up by Beauden Barrett.
The missed opportunity was costly for Wales, as the former World Player of the Year soon found himself at the other end of the pitch to dot down for New Zealand’s second, easing his way through the defence for a fine individual score.
Wales struck back however, as they opted to kick for the corner rather than take the points. Dillon Lewis was initially held up, but the All Blacks were penalised for offside.
The pressure continued, and this time Amos dummied and accelerated his way to the whitewash to open the scoring for Gatland’s side.
Rhys Patchell added a penalty to bring his side within four points, but the Kiwis ran away as Ben Smith crossed for his first try.
With men on the outside, Smith ran an inside line to catch the defence off-guard, beating the tackle of James Davies and making his way to the try line.
Smith added a second after the interval, as he powered his way down the blindside, before Ryan Crotty got in on the scoring for his side’s fifth try.
Adams pulled one back for Wales with 20 minutes to go, sniping over from close range for his seventh score of the tournament and extending his lead as the top try scorer. The try also saw the Cardiff Blue wing over-take Shane Williams as Wales’ top try scorer in a World Cup.
Mo'unga added a late try for the All Blacks after a period of pressure on the Welsh line.