JASON Strange is confident that his Wales players will rise to the challenge when they attempt to topple the Baby Blacks in their crunch World Rugby U20 Championship group finale.

The Six Nations champions head into the fixture with the holders with a chance of making it into the semi-finals, although they need to upset the odds against New Zealand in Salford (kick-off 5.30pm) and hope that other results go their way.

Ireland are poised to win Pool A after upsetting the Kiwis on Saturday while Wales, edged out by the Irish on opening day, spluttered to a 10-9 victory against Georgia in horrendous conditions.

Newport Gwent Dragons tighthead Leon Brown crashed over in the opening stages but the Grand Slam winners were unable to pull clear against their plucky and physical rivals.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Strange and, while the lack of a bonus point could come back to haunt them as they now need England to beat Australia and France to turn over South Africa, the former fly-half says his team will be up for the challenge against New Zealand.

"The win was important but our performance was disappointing, we never got going," he admitted. "There isn't a lot between New Zealand, Ireland and ourselves, but we will have to be a lot better than we were against Georgia. We know it will be a huge challenge on Wednesday but one we're fully capable of meeting head-on.

"We want to play with width and intent but we overplayed in those conditions and Georgia played them well. We'll take the win and move on to a big game on Wednesday.

"Georgia made it difficult, they were very committed and abrasive which we knew they would be. It was difficult to get any set-piece possession, it was a stop-start game.

"The boys have a lot of motivation for Wednesday night, it will be a huge challenge."

Wales currently have six points but even a stunning win against the world champions may not be enough for a place in the semi-finals.

In Wednesday's evening games they need England, who lead Pool B after bonus-point wins against Italy and Scotland, to deny the Aussies, who are also on six points.

They also need the French, who are on five points, to beat South Africa, who are on six and have a better points difference than Wales.