World Rugby U20 Championship: New Zealand embarrassed

Wet conditions greeted the players as the World Rugby U20 Championship resumed on Thursday with a series of key encounters.

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Two-time defending champions France powered their way to a 35-14 victory against New Zealand as they showed they mean business in defending their title with a convincing win in torrential rain in Paarl.

Posolo Tuilagi scored twice in his first appearance of the tournament and earned the Player of the Match award, while Hugo Reus produced another goal-kicking masterclass, converting all five of Les Bleuets’ tries.

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For New Zealand, it was their heaviest defeat in the history of the U20 Championship, surpassing the 12-point margin they suffered at the hands of England in the 2013 semi-final.

The big Les Bleuets pack was an unstoppable force and after some telling carries, the ball was worked out wide to winger Théo Attissogbe who scored the first try of the match.

On 15 minutes, Nicolas Depoortere missed a good opportunity to add to his double in the big win over Japan in round one.

However, France did not have to wait long for try number two, second-row Tuilagi powering over at the back of a driving maul.

With Hugo Reus adding the conversions to both, France led 14-0.

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New Zealand had barely fired a shot and when they did get a chance to attack, Les Bleuets’ defence remained steadfast.

Another strong maul led to France’s next try. Good ground was made before the ball was released to Attissogbe who passed back inside to scrumhalf Baptiste Jauneau.

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Jauneau juggled the ball at first but managed to get it back under control before grounding. Once again, Reus added the extras.

New Zealand’s first sustained attack came right at the end of the half and Che Clark looked to have splashed down in the corner after a perfectly weighted kick pass from flyhalf Taha Kemara but the video replays showed he had put a knee in touch.

The referee had been playing advantage and when he called play back, New Zealand kicked the penalty to the corner. The Junior All Blacks needed a lift but a third missed lineout of the half ensured they went into the break scoreless.

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France had the bonus point in the bag just three minutes into the half and it was that man-mountain, Tuilagi, who crashed over again. Reus converted brilliantly from the touchline.

At last, New Zealand showed some intent and the flow of penalties started to go against France. After a final team warning, referee Damian Schneider sent Jauneau to the sin-bin.

New Zealand looked to have taken advantage almost immediately but Macca Springer’s try was disallowed after he was found to have led with the elbow in attempting to shrug off Attissogbe’s tackle. The only consolation for New Zealand was that his yellow card wasn’t upgraded.

It was 14 v 14 for less than two minutes though, as centre Costes strayed offside and joined Jauneau in the sin-bin. New Zealand finally got on the scoreboard in the 58th minute when their pack won a penalty try.

Peter Lakai then busted through three tackles to score as New Zealand’s spirited comeback continued and Kemara added the conversion to make it 28-14.

But France went back to basics and Brent Liufau crossed from close range on 68 minutes to close the game out, Reus making no mistake from the kicking tee to maintain his 100 percent record.

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