After the disappointment of losing out to Argentina on penalties on Thursday, Wales had to withstand a ferocious first half challenge from Fiji but the technical superiority of Dan Watchurst’s side told in the second half as they eventually came away comfortable winners.
Fiji struck first with a try in the opening minute from centre Navitalai Ratulevu, converted by Thomas Linde, but Wales outside half Matthew Jarvis struck four first-half penalties as Wales went in 12-10 to the good at the break.
And after adding two more penalties shortly after the interval, the Ospreys academy pivot also converted tries from replacements Morgan Allen and Gareth Davies to take his match tally to 22 and ending the tournament with 61 points.
The first of those tries was the culmination of a period of Welsh domination up front which proved a key moment in the game while Scarlets academy scrum half Davies showed some individual flair for his touchdown.
No 8 Allen made a big impact after coming on for injured lock Joel Galley early on, and added a second try, this time a great solo effort, in the closing seconds of the game as Wales ended their JWC campaign in some style.
The Fijians rallied with a second try late on, but it was Wales who finished on top to secure seventh spot.
Wales Under 20 team manager Tony Clement said, “It was good to end the tournament on a high. We dealt well with a typically physical onslaught in the first half but kept our shape and composure to win the game comfortably in the end.
“On reflection, we are disappointed to have lost to Argentina which would have set up a fifth place play-off for us but we beat what was in front of us today and you can’t ask for more than that.
“We have played four southern hemisphere teams in this tournament which will have given our players a tremendous amount of experience and exposure.”
Wales scorers: Tries: Morgan Allen (2), Gareth Davies; Cons: Matthew Jarvis (2), Steve Shingler; Pens: Jarvis (6)
Wales: Dan Fish (Scott Williams 40); Kristian Phillips, Ben John, Ashley Beck, James Loxton; Matthew Jarvis (Steve Shingler 80), Rhys Downes (Gareth Davies 69); Dan Watchurst (capt, Joe Rees 64), Rhys Williams (Ieuan Davies 80), Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Peers (Will Taylor blood replacement), Joel Galley (Morgan Allen 23), Edward Siggery, Josh Navidi, James Thomas.
Wales results at Junior World Championship 2010:
Wales 22 – 13 Samoa
Wales 31 – 3 Fiji
Wales 10 – 43 New Zealand
Wales 19 – 19 Argentina
Wales 39 – 15 Fiji
