Thursday, June 23, 2011
Extended highlights of the Junior World Championship Semi Finals
In the first semi, England beat France 33-18 in Treviso to progress to their third final in four years. Christian Wade, George Ford, Ben Ranson, and Alex Gray all scored tries as the lead changed hands often in the tight encounter.
While the game was closer than the scoreline suggested, France threw everything into the last few minutes as they hoped to get within range. Some of their touches were incredible to watch, but ultimately as they chased the game, an interception from Captain Gray sealed the win for England, and sent them through to the final with a well deserved win.
New Zealand cruised through to the final as they beat Australia 37-7 in a game that might have looked one sided judging by the scoreline, but was actually fairly testing for the Baby Blacks at one stage. Australia scored first and at 13-7 at halftime, it looked a real contest.
In the second half the New Zealanders kicked into gear as they streaked away to win their 19th consecutive junior championships match, and aim to win their fourth successive title. The final takes place on Sunday night, 26th June.
Elsewhere, Fiji surprised Wales by beating them 34-20, South Africa pumped Ireland 57-15, Scotland eased to a 30-11 win over Tonga, and Argentina beat Italy 12-8.
There will be another round of games taking place on Sunday, as teams jockey for higher place on the overall standings, with Fiji and South Africa competing for fifth place. Italy and Tonga have a relegation battle on their hands, and the loser of that match will move to the lower ranked IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2012. Samoa will be moving up.
The below highlights are 19 mins long, with the second game starting about ten minutes in.
UPDATE: Short highlights of the other games have now been included below the main video.
:: Related Posts ::
England juniors great try savers and France's kicking tactics
Junior World Championship - Match highlights from Day 3
Baby Blacks run riot against Wales in Junior World Championships
New Zealand win the Junior World Championship 2010
New Zealand u20's beat England u20's to win the Junior World Championship 2009
Ireland u20's challenge the Haka - Junior World Championship 2009
England juniors great try savers and France's kicking tactics
Junior World Championship - Match highlights from Day 3
Baby Blacks run riot against Wales in Junior World Championships
New Zealand win the Junior World Championship 2010
New Zealand u20's beat England u20's to win the Junior World Championship 2009
Ireland u20's challenge the Haka - Junior World Championship 2009
Posted at 9:26 am | 32 comments
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Viewing 32 comments
Brett June 23, 2011 9:43 am
Should be a good final the England coaches probably got a few selection headaches
Ivar biggan June 23, 2011 10:06 am
2nd!!!
Come on England!! My prediction NZ to cheat and win.
Come on England!! My prediction NZ to cheat and win.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 10:07 am
Anyone know if the final will be shown in full on TV anywhere?
Anonymous June 23, 2011 10:09 am
quite a good level!!!
don't really like all the posing after the tries though...
don't really like all the posing after the tries though...
I hate ppl who write June 23, 2011 10:59 am
"All the posing" and "NZ to cheat and win"...do guys have any idea about rugby?
It seems that when there are no real arguments some ready made phrases just get picked out the air.
NZ are clearly head and shoulders above the opposition.
The only way Englandd can win is by playing out of their skins while the baby blacks play below par, otherwise it's 4 in a row in my opinion.
It seems that when there are no real arguments some ready made phrases just get picked out the air.
NZ are clearly head and shoulders above the opposition.
The only way Englandd can win is by playing out of their skins while the baby blacks play below par, otherwise it's 4 in a row in my opinion.
Leeners93 June 23, 2011 11:42 am
Anyone hear about the IRFU pulling out of this comp next year?Apparently Wales and Scotland are doing the same
Anonymous June 23, 2011 11:56 am
ossies can blame themselves! They gave two tries...Wouldn't have been the same!
Anonymous June 23, 2011 12:18 pm
Feel confident over the showing of the young English guys coming through, and added to the strength of the Saxons squad, England have quality through the ranks... now just need the senior team to step up!
That said, NZ look unbeatable.
That said, NZ look unbeatable.
Michael June 23, 2011 1:08 pm
Thank you, enjoyed greatly. England be carefull of NZ obstruction that was not seen by Ref. This could be indicative of what thier National side will do in WRC.
moddeur June 23, 2011 1:12 pm
England played a more thought-out and successful rugby and had a great flyhalf, but France came out head high, with some free-for-all, incredible rugby (at some point you could feel that the Kiwi commentator was rooting for France, though trying to hide it, for their style of play).
In the other game, I've got to say that the Blacks looked slicker and deadlier, as they do in the senior team. Athletically, they always seem a mile ahead of the opposition, and this surely improves their game. Australia's flyhalf had a terrible game and that surely didn't help.
In the other game, I've got to say that the Blacks looked slicker and deadlier, as they do in the senior team. Athletically, they always seem a mile ahead of the opposition, and this surely improves their game. Australia's flyhalf had a terrible game and that surely didn't help.
Colombes June 23, 2011 1:23 pm
Great job by the youngsters.
Not astonished to watch young kiwis and aussies playing at top-level, but quite surprised and relieved on french and english future players.
England deserved the victory as they were more fresh in the last minutes. French were better in open-game but not enough lethal
I can't see who can beat young AB's
Not astonished to watch young kiwis and aussies playing at top-level, but quite surprised and relieved on french and english future players.
England deserved the victory as they were more fresh in the last minutes. French were better in open-game but not enough lethal
I can't see who can beat young AB's
Veji1 June 23, 2011 1:52 pm
nice deserved win for an english side that was more mature, more methodical and in the end dominated with more possession. Proud of the frenchies though and it's a shame that the highlights don't include the desperate last offensive movement were the try was denied for a teenie weenie forward pass from our hooker...
Anyway, exciting world cup even though playing every four days doesn't sound safe to me, as witnessed by the many injuries sustained by the french team.
Anyway, exciting world cup even though playing every four days doesn't sound safe to me, as witnessed by the many injuries sustained by the french team.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 3:17 pm
France: official provider of England's finals since 2003.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 3:20 pm
great try saving tackle on the english fullback
Neil June 23, 2011 3:24 pm
Should be a good final, Englands played more clinical rugby, New Zealand is as always, New Zealand, but I can't help but notice some of their trys being gifted, won't be the same with this England side.. they haven't been coughing up the ball nor gifting much, if anything... I'm rooting for England, but will enjoy the game either way
cheyanqui June 23, 2011 4:25 pm
the IRB should expand the eligilbity lock down to the U-20s as well.
it would be shame to see this tournament turn into a scouting vehicle where the more monied unions poach island talent.
it would be shame to see this tournament turn into a scouting vehicle where the more monied unions poach island talent.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 5:05 pm
Ah Fiji-Wales ... Great memories.
Fijian always make it look like sevens.
Fijian always make it look like sevens.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 5:11 pm
I have a question. Is a player who has played for seniors allowed to play with the U21s?
I ask this because i think doussain had the skills to earn his first cap this season .
I ask this because i think doussain had the skills to earn his first cap this season .
Anonymous June 23, 2011 5:23 pm
'Is a player who has played for seniors allowed to play with the U21s?'
No! Is the answer as there is no u21's any more.
No! Is the answer as there is no u21's any more.
Dan June 23, 2011 6:13 pm
Great game with Fiji beating Wales - i had the pleasure of watching the Finian junior team playing NZ some years back in Fiji - it was incredible, the whole island had come out for the game and we sat on the grass to watch.
Anonymous June 23, 2011 9:39 pm
Will the Final and 3rd place matches be live online at irb.com?
Rustler June 23, 2011 11:35 pm
These tries aren't gifted to NZ, they come from pressure and fatigue.
C'mon, everybody knows this...
C'mon, everybody knows this...
N June 24, 2011 2:05 am
NZ are clearly ahead of everyone else. As an Aussie I see no point in being blind to this.
NZ have always produced the best young players, and apprently still are.
And if the Irish, Scottish and Welsh want to cripple themselves further in terms of payer development by pulling out of this comp, fair enough. It's only gonna make them worse though.
You would think they would want to emulate the more succesful nations like NZ, Aus, Fra and Eng.
But whatever, apprently they know better.
NZ have always produced the best young players, and apprently still are.
And if the Irish, Scottish and Welsh want to cripple themselves further in terms of payer development by pulling out of this comp, fair enough. It's only gonna make them worse though.
You would think they would want to emulate the more succesful nations like NZ, Aus, Fra and Eng.
But whatever, apprently they know better.
Brett June 24, 2011 7:13 am
The reason why ireland, wales and scotland are pulling out is because they're not very good and they're trying to save themselves from further embarrassment.
Anonymous June 24, 2011 12:20 pm
players dont develope in wales, theyre just given suplements and gym access. anyone who can still throw(ish) a rugby ball after all the unnatural physical work is picked. At amature level these gym monkies who dont make it are always out done by the natural atheletes who werent "big enough" to make it
Jonno June 26, 2011 11:47 pm
sorry for being a troll, but surely someone saw the blatant forward pass at 2:10 for the southafrica try vs ireland! I'm a neutral and all but someone should have seen that...
ConnactFan June 27, 2011 11:53 am
IRFU pulling Ireland out citing money etc. Mind you we (Ireland) cant even put a regular 7s team out so who knows, and yes we only ever came 7th/8th in this competition. No argument there. Not insecure like some others on this post.
Anonymous June 28, 2011 12:22 am
Look, if Ireland really can't afford it (suprising they can't, much smaller unions manage it), I guess they'll have to pull out.
But it's going to cost them, and hurt their player development pathway.
It will only weaken their rugby.
But it's going to cost them, and hurt their player development pathway.
It will only weaken their rugby.
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