SCARLETS flanker Richie Pugh admitted it was a case of men against boys after New Zealand dumped Wales out of the rugby sevens competition at the Commonwealth Games.

Wales were always battling against the odds to secure a Commonwealth medal after a 21-5 defeat to South Africa pitted them against the Kiwis – who have never lost a match at the Games – in the quarter-finals.

Paul John’s men believe an upset could be on the cards though after Ifan Evans dotted down for the first try of the game in the fourth minute.

But New Zealand hit back twice before the break through Kurt Baker and Ben Smith and by the time Aaron Shingler ran in a consolation score, Wales were well on the way to their 31-10 defeat.

And after watching New Zealand go on to edge out Australia for their fourth Commonwealth gold, Pugh insisted Wales’ current crew were still learning the ropes at this level.

“In the end New Zealand just ran us off the park and I think we lacked some experience,” he said.

“We had a couple of new boys in there today and I think that told in some of our decisions against the best team.

"We need to improve on our depth. We were so flat we did not give ourselves enough time when we were attacking. Day two of the competition was always going to be a tough day and so it proved.”

Wales saved face by winning the plate competition in Melbourne four years ago but there was to be no silver lining in Delhi.

John’s men again made a flying start against Samoa with scrum-half Lee Rees crossing after just 24 seconds but once more found themselves trailing 10-5 at the break.

Samoa ensured Wales would play no further part in the competition by running in four unanswered tries before Cardiff’s Gareth Davies went over for a last-minute consolation score.

Wales weren’t the only Home Nation to leave Delhi with their tail between their legs after England and Scotland both failed to medal.

Scotland arrived in India with few expectations but after running South Africa close in the quarter finals they went down 34-0 to Samoa in the plate final.

England squeezed past Samoa 7-5 but were steamrollered 33-12 by New Zealand in the semi-finals before going down 17-14 to South Africa in the bronze medal play-off.

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