Junior World Champs Semifinals - Aus vs Eng & NZ vs SA

The Semifinals of the Junior World Championship took place in Rosario, Argentina, yesterday with rivals New Zealand and Australia overcoming the challenges of South Africa and England respectively.

The Australian under twenties made their first ever final of a Junior World Championship as they beat England 28-16 after a great try from Sevens star Kimami Sitauti. Jonny May scored a consolation try for England, but it was not enough as they were prevented from reaching their third consecutive final.

Former Brumbies coach David Nucifora is in charge of the Australian side.

"We're really pleased to make it through to the final and we've at least now given ourselves an opportunity to win it and that's all we came here for. There's a lot of talent in the team, we probably felt we didn't play as well today as we should've to be honest and we know if we're going to beat South Africa or New Zealand in the final we're going to have to play significantly better than what we felt we played today," he said.

In the other semifinal, New Zealand were way too strong for the Baby Boks as they ran away with the game, coming out comfortable winners 36-7. They did make their third successive final, and are defending champions.

They were 22-0 up at halftime, so the result was never really in doubt as they have once again produced a powerful junior team. Wing Julian Savea, top try scorer in the tournament, proved to be a thorn in the South African defence as he scored again, matching the eight tries that were scored by Zac Guildford in last years tournament.

"It is very exciting, real proud of the boys today, it was a great effort. It was definitely a battlefield out there as you probably could see in the last three minutes or so when everyone was on the ground. I am just really excited and the final, it is a great achievement to make it and it is just going to be a great event," said New Zealand captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

The final will take place on Monday the 21st, also in Rosario.

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