The Junior World Championship in South Africa has been a huge success, not least because the Home team won the final beating the Junior All Blacks 22-16. The weather was a great leveller but still both teams played rugby to make for an exciting final and first defeat in a final for the Kiwis.
The final between South Africa and new Zealand was a tight affair throughout and at half time the Blacks led 9-10. The game had opened with the Boks taking the lead on 10 minutes with a penalty by Pollard, which was levelled a couple of minutes later by West. 18 minutes and South Africa took the lead again with another penalty. The Kiwis then had a penalty chance missed on 27 minutes but a well worked move on 34 minutes saw Milford Keresoma go over for a converted try 6-10. The half ended with Pollard slotting his third kick giving us half-time and 9-10.
The second period and South Africa upped the tempo and on 48 minutes they retook the lead which they would never relinquish. The score coming from their busy 9 Vian van der Watt 14-10. The Kiwis closed the gap to 14-13 on 56 minutes. A drop goal from Pollard took it out to 17-13, then on 62 minutes Jan Serfontein scored to take it to 22-13 and effectively contest over. The Kiwis did pot a goal on 75 minutes to give themselves a chance but although they pressed the Boks were able to keep them out and so we had the final score of: South Africa 22-16 New Zealand.
The third place play-off took quite a while to spark into life and Wales with ascendency up front never looked in danger in the first half as they slowly built a lead to 19 points by the whistle. Argentina could have been in contention if they had called for the video ref so missing out on a possible 7 points. The second period and the Baby Pumas got into the game but it was all to much of a mountain so they went down 17-25.
Ireland claimed an important 5th spot with a hard fought win over France and England at least ended on a high claiming 7th as they shaded Australia. Scotland thumped Samoa which we did not expect given form to-date and Fiji did for Italy putting them bottom of the pile.
Results Minor Place Play-offs
25 11th Place 22 Jun 14:15 Italy 17-19 Fiji University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
26 09th Place 22 Jun 12:00 Scotland 62-28 Samoa University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
27 07th Place 22 Jun 16:30 England 17-13 Australia University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
28 05th Place 22 Jun 14:15 Ireland 18-7 France Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Result Bronze Final
29 22 Jun 16:30 Argentina 17-25 Wales Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Result Final
30 22 Jun 18:45 South Africa 22-16 New Zealand Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch