The 2012 Junior World Championships opened in South Africa with shock wins for Ireland against the hosts and on of the favourites South Africa 19-23. This was followed up by Argentina coming from 15 points down in the 28th minute to win 15-18.
The other results all went to form as Australia had an easy win against an overawed Scotland 67-12. The other pool ‘C’ game being the France 15-18 Argentina result.
Pool ‘A’ and Wales came from behind to take a 5 point win against Fiji and reverse the result from last year Wales 44-18 Fiji. New Zealand look the team to beat as they recorded a straightforward 63-0 against Samoa.
Pool ‘B’ and England stuttered for large parts of what eventually became a rout against Italy from 5-0 down they went to England 64-5 Italy. As mentioned in the other game South Africa with a huge side and plenty of power lacked the skill set to undo a spirited Ireland and so went down South Africa 19-23 Ireland.
In our player watch stars on the day were the Ireland 10 JJ Hanrahan who ran the game with calm control and no little flair, whilst kicking his goals. England Tom Heathcote was prodigious with the boot and had time on the ball, whilst marland Yarde as expected was a handful.
Results 4 June
01 04 Jun Pool A 14:45 Wales 44-18 Fiji Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
02 04 Jun Pool A 16:45 New Zealand 63-0 Samoa Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
03 04 Jun Pool B 16:45 England 64-5 Italy University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
04 04 Jun Pool B 18:45 South Africa 19-23 Ireland Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
05 04 Jun Pool C 14:45 Australia 67-12 Scotland University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
06 04 Jun Pool C 18:45 France 15-18 Argentina University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
So what of our predictions? No surprise, we got two wrong as both France and South Africa let us down. So here are the next round of games and we will stick with our previous predictions which again are in bold:
Fixtures
All times local
07 08 Jun Pool A 14:45 Fiji v Samoa University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
08 08 Jun Pool A 16:45 New Zealand v Wales Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
09 08 Jun Pool B 18:45 South Africa v Italy University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
10 08 Jun Pool B 18:45 England v Ireland Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
11 08 Jun Pool C 14:45 Australia v Argentina Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
12 08 Jun Pool C 16:45 France v Scotland University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town