WIDNES Vikings pair Lloyd White and Gil Dudson helped Wales secure victory against Italy in Monza to secure a place in Rugby League World Cup 2017.

In a tense thriller, St Helens teenager Ben Morris’ second try handed Wales a 20-14 lead that was never lost to ensure his country join England, Scotland and Ireland in next year’s eagerly anticipated tournament in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Just before the hour mark, on the back of Craig Kopczak’s break, Matty Fozard was the provider with a popped pass for Morris’ important match clincher.

From that try onwards it became a tough, physical battle but Wales, also featuring former Widnes players Phil Joseph and Rhodri Lloyd, held on and kept the Azzurri scoreless in the second half at Stadio Brianteo.

“It’s really pleasing, if you are going to achieve things it’s got to be difficult but the collective spirit, desire and passion was there for all to see,” said victorious Wales coach John Kear after a tense thriller.

Kear, who led England in the 2000 World Cup and has also taken charge of France added: “We’ve had a lot of adversity over the qualifiers, we’ve had to bring new players in because of injuries and lost a half-back so had to reshuffle, as well as losing Rhodri Lloyd to a hamstring injury here early on, but we showed a collective will to get the job done and finished the stronger.

“At 14-6 down going into half time we needed something and Anthony Walker came up with a special play. People like Matty Fozard have come of age in these games and I’ve been delighted to see how much he’s improved, and Phil Joseph was a giant in the middle.

“We’ll now monitor everyone who is available to play for Wales but this bunch who’ve rolled their sleeves up and got their elbows and knees dirty are already on the front foot.

“I’m so pleased in the manner in which we’ve qualified. Some of the players felt that they didn’t do themselves justice in the 2013 World Cup and are looking at putting that right.”

The opening exchanges couldn’t have been any tighter.

Both sides had some early opportunities with decent field position, but tidy kicks from Widnes’ Lloyd White and Hull KR’s Terry Campese for their respective teams came to nothing.

It was Wales who took the lead, though, when Morris crossed for his first international try after supporting a nice break by Fozard.

However, the Italians gained a couple of repeat sets and began to build pressure, before Colin Wilkie was sent through a gap to touch down on the line.

It didn’t take long for the Italians to take the lead on the back of their opening try; on their next set, they shifted the ball well and Wilkie went over for his second.

Then, the hosts were awarded a penalty for a tackle off the ball and they elected to kick for goal. Campese added a further two points.

From the next set, however, Italy knocked-on near their own line and Ant Walker crashed over directly from the scrum for a crucial score shortly before the break.

Wales started the second-half well and went close to scoring early on, as a couple of loose balls fell well for the visitors and Fozard collected to break.

Although he didn’t manage to free the ball out of the tackle, he did win a penalty for a high tackle. Kear’s men continued to build pressure and the Italians cracked; Lloyd White’s grubber fell nicely, Fozard profited and sent Andrew Gay over in the left corner.

They then increased their two-point lead when Fozard sent Morris over and although Italy threw everything at Wales late on Kear’s men stood tall.

Italy: Christophe Centrone ; Justin Castellaro, Christophe Calegari, Mirco Bergamasco, Richard Lepori; Terry Campese, Ryan Ghietti; Shannon Wakeman, Dean Parata, Gavin Hiscox, Jayden Walker, Brendan Santi, Joel Reithmuller. Subs: Mason Cerruto, Colin Wilkie, Kieran Quabba, Gioele Celerino.

Wales: Elliot Kear; Rhys Williams, Ben Morris, Andy Gay, Dai Evans; Courtney Davies, Matty Fozard; Gil Dudson, Lloyd White, Craig Kopczak, Rhodri Lloyd, Phil Joseph, Steve Parry. Subs: Joe Burke, Ant Walker, Sam Hopkins, Danny Ansell.