World Rugby U20 Championship: France Triumph Over New Zealand, Set Up Final Clash with England
World Rugby U20 Championship: France defeated New Zealand 55–31 in an exciting semifinal match to guarantee their spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship final.
Les Bleuets’ outstanding performance was led by Mathis Castro-trick Ferreira, who set up a championship title matchup with England.
In the third-place play-off, New Zealand will take on Ireland, the winners from the previous year. In the meantime, Australia defeated Wales to force a play-off for fifth place against Argentina, who defeated the hosts, South Africa. In the seventh-place play-off, the two defeated teams will square off; in the ninth-place play-off, Italy will play Georgia; and in the relegation play-off, Spain will play Fiji.
SEMI-FINAL: ENGLAND 31-20 IRELAND
England’s formidable forwards set the stage for a spirited win as Mark Mapletoft’s team defeated Ireland, the 2023 finalists and rivals in the U20 Men’s Six Nations, to secure a spot in Friday’s championship game.
Ireland’s scrum-half Oliver Coffey scored the game’s first touchdown after center Wilhelm de Clerk’s lineout in the first minute of play had sliced open the English defense.
Both teams drew at the pool stage in South Africa the previous year, and they played out a thrilling 32-32 draw in the U20 Six Nations earlier this year, with the Irish tying the score with a converted try three minutes after the gun went off.
In Cape Town on Sunday, a draw was out of the question. However, another close call was all but certain. Following the initial setback, the English pack quickly gained momentum and applied constant pressure to a swiftly retreating Irish scrum.
It required twenty more minutes and some incredible phase play on the part of England to overcome Ireland’s unyielding defense. After multiple stages, hooker Craig Wright profited by staying out wide to take the final pass.
A few minutes later, Ollie Allen scored after Ioan Jones had broken past Ireland’s defense to give England their first-ever lead. However, their lead was short-lived as Ireland’s forwards continually hammered away at the line, only for Bryn Ward to score under the cover of the posts.
Following a lengthy pass from scrum-half Allen, Sean Kerr completed a number of phases in the corner to put England ahead once more at the end of an exciting first half.
The second period saw few scoring possibilities, but the tempo and intensity remained high as the Irish were punished by three Kerr penalties, the latest of which came just before the end of play, as their scrum continued to struggle.
SEMI-FINAL: NEW ZEALAND 31-55 FRANCE
In an exciting, nail-biting 12-try thriller, France defeated New Zealand behind a hat-trick from back-row Mathis Castro-Ferreira, securing a final matchup with U20 Men’s Six Nations foes England.
The game began with a spectacular run by Joé Quere-Karaba, who broke free from behind a ruck, as Sebastien Calvet’s team attempted to avenge their earlier tournament loss to New Zealand by one point.
In the ninth minute, they had one. After sprinting across a five-meter channel, Hoani Bosmorin handed off to his captain, Hugo Reus. He somehow offloaded and Charly Gambini scored after being shoved into touch.
Throughout the entire match, New Zealand maintained possession and territory, but Les Bleuets played a resolute defense and a powerful attack.
And even with one man down, they were unstoppable. In the eighth minute, Geoffrey Malaterre received a yellow card for taking down a maul close to his own line, which resulted in a penalty try. Barnabe Massa’s break in the 14th minute allowed New Zealand’s defense to become vulnerable, and two passes later, Castro-Ferreira was over in the corner.
After just 17 minutes, Dylan Pledger scored the fifth try of the game, going clear off the back of a ruck due to his pure speed.
Castro-Ferreira scored his second ten minutes later following an inch-perfect width-of-the-field kick from Reus. The captain of France added two more penalties to his four first-half conversions to give his team a 20-point lead at the interval.
Five minutes into the second half, as Castro-Ferreira fell to the ground for his third, they extended it, capping an excruciatingly hard period of pressure.
In the fifty-first minute, both teams were down to 14. In light of World Rugby’s legal proceedings, Stanley Solomon’s yellow card for a high tackle was eventually raised to a red, meaning Lorencio Boyer Gallardo was sin-binned and they were without a player for twenty minutes.
After 20 minutes of numerical inferiority, three tries by New Zealand gave them hope. With three minutes remaining on the 20-minute red card clock, Andrew Smith crashed out, King Maxwell received their first, and Aki Tuivailala sprinted in just before the hour.
But they were unable to prevent France from scoring. After an interception by Quere-Karaba, Mathis Ferte, the full-back, was free to sprint beneath the posts. With nine minutes left, Reus again scored a cross-field kick that found its way into Xan Mousques’ clutches, propelling France past the half-century mark and into the championship game.
FIFTH-PLACE SEMI-FINAL: SOUTH AFRICA 24-34 ARGENTINA
On Friday, the last day of the U20 Championship, Argentina will contend for fifth place after defeating the hosts, South Africa, twice in a contest that saw a lot of momentum swing at DHL Stadium.
Sixty meters downfield and twelve passes earlier, full-back Benjamin Elizalde had collected a grubber from South Africa’s center Jurenzo Julius. This set up the pivotal moment, which came late in the first half when Argentinian winger Gregorio Perez Pardo scooped up a loose ball to score.
The South Americans, who are ranked eighth in this tournament in 2023, ended the opening quarter with a 14-point lead after exchanging baskets multiple times.
Juan Greising, the hooker When the two teams played earlier in the campaign in a rain-soaked Stellenbosch, Revol scored twice. Argentina prevailed 31–12 to win their sole U20 encounter against South Africa. Here, twenty minutes in, he scored the first goal once more, riding high on a commanding maul.
Four minutes later, captain Efrain Elias strolled through a wide passage, making it appear as though another easy victory was in the works. South Africa, however, had other plans. To bring the hosts back into the contest, Julius received an inside pass low to his right and glided through the defense.
The hosts found themselves with the wind in their sails. Up to Perez Pardo’s goal, their pack held the advantage, a reverse of events from the sides’ previous encounter.
rear row Early in the second half, Sibabalwe Mahashe reignited their play when a South African maul split the Argentinean defense, raising hopes of a comeback. As the hosts, who were third in 2023, attempted to narrow the gap, Zachary Porthen went over just after the hour mark, but the referee determined that he was held up.
With 14 minutes remaining, Timoteo Silva, although flirting dangerously with the touchline, completed a well-executed series of phases to extend Argentina’s lead once more.
Even with another tackle-breaking goal from the always-impressive Julius three minutes remaining, it was more than sufficient.
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FIFTH-PLACE SEMI-FINAL: AUSTRALIA 36-29 WALES
Wales’ hat-trick from Macs Page was insufficient as Australia held firm to advance with Argentina to the play-off for fifth place.
The Welsh took the lead even though they played most of the first exchange in their half. A strong maul crossed over at a distance of 15 meters, and hooker Isaac Young scored the attempt.
In response, Australia moved swiftly, outpacing the Welsh pack at a scrum. They led 7–5 after Harvey Cordukes scored a touchdown and Harry McLaughlin–Phillips converted.
However, Wales’ tenacious defense paid off when Page executed a spectacular charge down inside his 22 and it rebounded into his arms. Regaining the lead, the center dashed off.
Eventually, the Junior Wallabies capitalized on their superiority when Kadin Pritchard executed a superb line to dot down from a strong scrum. Morgan Morse was sent out for one too many Welsh infractions by the referee.
A few minutes later, they created another platform with another great scrum, turning over the Welsh ball and passing it to winger Archer Saunders, who crossed for their third try of the half.
Following the interval, Australia maintained its lead. With the second-row crossing to increase their lead, McLaughlin-Phillips broke through three Welsh defenders and found skipper Toby Macpherson on a fantastic line.
After that, Wales began their own onslaught, bringing themselves dangerously close to Australia’s line via center Page. With a cross-field kick, the Welshman recycled possession and found winger Kodi Stone. Matty Young scored in the corner after he offloaded.
After Shane Wilcox broke free thanks to an incredible catch by Leahy, Australia continued to score and delivered the game-winning punch. Dan Nelson was ready to score without assistance.
Wales did not go down without a fight, and a few minutes later, Harri Ford found Page with a cross-field kick to add to their tally. A few moments later, he finished off following a fantastic break from Louis Hennessy to complete his hat-trick.
NINTH-PLACE SEMI-FINAL: ITALY 28-15 SPAIN
Italy secured their spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship for another year by defeating a tenacious Spain.
Giacomo Milano and Marco Scalabrin’s first-half tries set the tone, but the passionate Spaniards at Danie Craven Stadium had Italy battle for every possession.
With Alberto Carmona’s thrilling touchdown in the first half, Spain scored one of the tournament’s tries, demonstrating incredible fortitude in holding off the Italians for extended periods of time.
However, Italy’s third score came from a penalty try after the half, and despite a strong response from the tough Spaniards through the excellent Hugo Gonzalez, they were unable to prevent a fourth consecutive defeat in South Africa.
It has proven to be a tremendous baptism of fire for Spain following their promotion as World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 champions, following losses to Wales, New Zealand, France, and now Italy.
Italy took the lead in the eighth minute with a ten-phase attack that ended with Milano, the flanker, going under the goal posts. Midway through the first half, Italy was denied a second try and their Spanish rival Jokin Zolezzi was sin-binned.
Half of Scrum Lorenzo Casilio jumped under the posts after taking a swift penalty tap, but the TMO determined he had not grounded the ball, therefore no try was given.
In the 32nd minute, Spain’s defensive efforts paid off as they scored an incredible try. They worked the ball to the right channel after a lineout on the left flank, where Luciano Richardis found Julien Burguillos, whose skillful offload let Carmona over the line.
Gonzalo Otamendi was unable to convert, and Italy scored again just before the half ended when Scalabrin landed in the right corner following a scrum.
Aniol Franch of Spain was sin-binned and Italy was awarded a penalty try early in the second half. Gonzalez, however, quickly made his way to the line to score Spain’s second goal and complete a brilliant performance in the front row. To make it 19–15, Otamendi scored a conversion and then added a penalty.
However, Simone Brisighella’s three penalties in the last quarter gave Italy some breathing room and ensured the outcome was certain.
NINTH-PLACE SEMI FINAL: GEORGIA 40-36 FIJI
In the second of the ninth-place semi-finals, Georgia defeated Fiji in an exciting try-fest, securing a Friday meeting with Italy, the U20 Men’s Six Nations team. Although the Fijians tragically lost for the fourth time in a row, they produced six brilliant tries, four of which came from their own half, to force extra time.
Although quick winger Aisea Nawai scored a hat-trick, fly-half Luka Tsirekidze’s 15 points helped Georgia triumph, outscoring them six tries to five. After Davit Lagvilava’s heavy tackle on Ratu Isikeli Rabitu resulted in a sin bin, Georgia led 6-0 thanks to two early penalties from Tsirekidze.
In the twenty-first minute, Ponipate Tuberi’s converted try gave Fiji a response and a lead. Following a brilliant move by Fiji from inside their own half, Harrison Valevatu made an incredible offload that sent center partner Tuberi over the line.
Before Mikheil Khakhubia’s driving maul crossed the finish line for Georgia, Isikeli Basiyalo converted. Luka Nasau was sent off for invading during a scrum as halftime drew near, and shortly after, Georgian winger Tarieli Burtikashvili landed in the left corner.
However, just before the half, Fiji scored another spectacular try when Nawai dived over in the right corner following more superb handling. Georgia had a 21–12 lead at the half, but after a lack of discipline in the 48th minute, flanker Andro Dvali was sent to the sin bin.
Five minutes later, Giorgi Gergedava scored the Georgians’ third try from close range despite losing a player. However, Waisake Salabiau scored quickly in the left corner of the scoreboard in the 55th minute following yet another deft handling play by the Fijians.
Nawai darted into the right corner for his second as the hour drew near, but Georgia swiftly answered through Nika Lomidze. With ten minutes remaining, Luka Keshelava scored for Georgia, but Avakuki Niusalelekitoga answered for Fiji with their fifth try.
After that, Nawai finished his treble, and Tuberi won, but Georgia managed to hold on.
