New Zealand under 20
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<p>I find most of the comments a bit harsh as far as the ABU20 scrum is concerned. It was very stable on NZ feeds, particularly when Kautai was still on the paddock. I think he is one with a bright future in front of him.</p>
<p>But I was massively disappointed by the Jacobson brothers who were never dominant in the contact phases, and by bit Walker Laeware (sp ?) who was walking on the park most of the time. Hopefully it was just a matter of fitness. Apisai was another one who underperformed. I was one of those who think that Riccitelli did better than him for the Canes, early in the season when Coles and Motuu were injured.</p>
<p>The AB forwards were well beaten by their Irish counterparts but it was a collective defeat as man for man, I think the young NZers were the better players. And for that, the coach is the one to blame.</p>
<p>I was also disappointed by Nock and Perofeta, and by the whole backline actually. Barrett was the only one who showed some attacking flair while Stevenson had too few opportunities to shine (awful weather !).</p> -
<p>Woke up about 30 minutes after kick-off, so missed most of the first half. At that time it was already 28-5 to NZ.</p>
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<p>NZ has clearly come to play, but not sure what the Welsh are doing. I understand that NZ's first try was scored within the first minute (by Jonah Lowe). Other try scorers include Dalzell, Stevenson, Moala-Liava'a (according to Welsh Rugby twitter).</p>
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<p>NZ continues dominating in the second half. As I type this, it's 49-5, the last try scored by Makene. All tries converted by Barrett, who's now subbed off.</p> -
<p>Full time: NZL 71 - 12 Wales. NZ to the 5th place final.</p>
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<p>Glad to see the NZ players continued playing in the second half. Tries by Strange, Stevenson, Makene & Tomkinson.</p>
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<p>Jonah Lowe looked injured and was replaced. I think it happened in the lead-up to Strange's try in approx the 55th minute when he was treated at the side-line. He limped a bit after the game.</p> -
Ireland up by 7-0 on Argentina in the first semifinal. Both sets of forwards a match for each other. Argentina more nimble and mobile overall across the park. <br><br>
Ireland making a lot of one hit ups but tiring themselves if they don't alter their approach. Argies smashing into tackles. -
Argentina finally manage to halt the irish attack and win scrum. They attack down the right and inside the Irish 22. Max Deegan the Irish No 8 picks off a pass and runs 60 metres to score in the left corner. Conversion goes over. <br><br>
14-0. 25 minutes gone. <br><br>
And Ireland immediately give away a penalty in their 22. Argies kick for lineout. They take and drive. Ireland penalised for collapsing the maul. Argies kick for lineout, take and drive. Ireland hold them out even as both Argentine wingers join the push. Ireland win a scrum. <br><br>
And Argentina penalised. Great relieving kick takes it up to halfway. Ireland receive their throw and ball goes out as Ireland attack. Fast handling between the back three with Stockdale bursting down the touch line and over under the posts. <br><br>
21-0 after 30 minutes. -
Ireland scrum now getting on top of the Argies as they win a penalty on the halfway mark. <br><br>
They win the ensuing lineout and the attack goes right and then left. <br><br>
A pass drops and Argentina hack out to clear. They gain a penalty and kick well for touch 10m out from try line. They take and the ball comes out and take Ireland by surprise and the fly half dinks for the centre to touch down under the posts. <br><br>
21-7 on 39'minutes. -
Carolan won't be happy with his team conceding a score just before the break when they were on top for most of the first half. <br><br>
Ireland contesting better at breakdown and their back line has been more lively. <br><br>
Expect an increase in tempo from Argentina after the break. If the lads can weather the initial burst and get another score it could start to put the mental pressure on. <br><br>
France are 12-7 ahead against Japan at halftime -
Argentina had an initial burst after the break then Ireland hit back with a number of attacking multiphases. They eventually win a penalty which McPhillips kicks. <br><br>
24-7 on 54 minutes. <br><br>
From the kickoff a scrum goes to Ireland. Ireland march the Argies back 5 metres and win a penalty. <br><br>
From the lineout on the ten metre live they attack and Argentina frustration shows as they are penalised at breakdown. McPhillips lines up the kick 40m out but it goes wide on right. <br><br>
24-7 on 57 mins. <br><br>
Ireland receive the kickout with Deegan receiving and bursting upfield. <br><br>
More attacking phases with a lovely weaving run from Stockdale. <br><br>
But they cock it up and give away a penalty. <br><br>
Argentina look to get going and then promptly give away a penalty for holding on. McPhillips puts them back in their 22 with a lineout. -
Ref has word with Argie for third not releasing penalty in a row. Another kick for the posts for Ireland. <br><br>
McPhillips makes it 5 from 6. <br><br>
27-7 on 62 minutes. -
McPhillips has his kicking boots on. Another penalty by Argentina just on the halfway. McP lines it up and nails it. <br><br>
30-7 on 68 minutes -
Argentina replacement hooker head butts irish player and gets red card. <br><br>
Carolan makes all the subs. <br><br>
6 minutes to go. -
Very impressive display PH. Some definite future stars on display I would think.
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Intercept try by Daly in overtime. <br><br>
Finishes 37-7. <br><br>
Commiserations Argentina. <br><br>
Solid job by the boys in green. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="590103" data-time="1466445817"><p>
Very impressive display PH. Some definite future stars on display I would think.</p></blockquote>
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It was BT. Very impressive. Carolan deserves a lot of kudos - well drilled squad. <br><br>
Deegan has got great feet for an 8. Daly, Ryan, Porter, McBurney all good up front. McPhillps and Kerins did well at halves. Like the look of Stockdale at FB. <br><br>
Good stock for the provincial academies. I can see why Nucifora keeps pushing back on import requests from the provinces and forcing interpro movements. -
Great game between France and Japan. Try fest by both teams tiring it up twice before France score two more. 41-27
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I recorded the Wales vs NZ game earlier, don't think I'll bother watching
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NZ were 21-0 in the first 12 mins, I think. A combination of everything clicking, every ball bouncing their way, and Wales playing like shop mannequins. When it got to 28-0, I half expected the ref to call time early out of kindness. Fair play to the Welsh lads for keeping going, but they were never at the races.
