Australia U20 and Queensland Reds star Treyvon Pritchard is likely set for a significant stint on the sidelines after a narrow 38-36 loss to Wales in the Junior World Championship.
Chris Whitaker’s side went down in the fifth-place semi-final after early carnage left several star players sidelined with injuries.
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The most serious looked to be Pritchard, who was taken down in a hip-drop-like tackle in the 11th minute.
It left the fullback screaming in pain on the ground as he was carried off the field, likely ending his outstanding tournament.
Pritchard had emerged as the star of Australia's campaign after brilliant performances in the pool stages, with the 19-year-old being earmarked for a potential Wallabies call-up after his strong season for the Reds.
The drama continued for the Aussies as Lehopoame Leota followed Pritchard up the tunnel with a shoulder complaint, the second change to the tight five in the first 15 minutes after William Ross’ failed HIA.
Even with the injuries, the Australians seemed to snatch victory with a late comeback, with Riley Whitfeld and Jonty Fowler looking like the heroes.
Trailing by nine and down a man following a penalty try for collapsing the maul, hooker John Grenfell provided a spark with a late try as they worked their way back down the field.
Whitfeld then latched onto an Angus Grover offload and raced down the touchline, beating three and handing off to Fowler for what appeared to be the winner.
However, the TMO would have the final say, finding a knock-on from the replacement scrum half that was ruled to have gone forward.
Replacement Tom Farr-Jones, on for Pritchard, capitalised with a double of his own to give Whitaker’s side the 17-14 lead at the break.
The Welsh took the lead and restored the 14-point gap, only for Whitfeld to reduce the margin in the 55th minute.
A red card to Wales’ Luke Evans was punished by Edwin Langi, however the penalty try and card to Toby Brial built the advantage back up.
The late push wasn’t enough for Australia U20, who will now take on Argentina for seventh on Saturday.
"We didn't start the way we wanted and had a few injuries, but the resiliency we showed to get back into the game, we've got to be proud of that," flyhalf Finn Mackay said post-match.
