PREVIEW: U20 World Championship, Final
It is the last day of World Rugby’s Under-20 World Championship being played up the Paraná in Rosario and Santa Fe.
The 12 teams will be playing six matches but of those six two will be of greatest interest – the top one between France and Australia and the bottom one between Fiji and Scotland.
The winner of the top one will be the champions; the loser of the bottom one will be relegated to the World Under-20 Trophy in 2020.
The Final
The battle for the top prize is between France and Australia. For both France and Australia it is their second final. Australia’s previous final was in 2010 when they were hammered 62-17 by New Zealand. France not only made last year’s final but won it, beating England 33-25.
That means that the reigning champions have the opportunity of keeping the crown while the Aussies can grab it for the first time.
This Year’s Results
Both France and Australia have played in Under-20 tournaments earlier this year.
France were runners up to Ireland in the Six Nations, beating Wales, Italy and Scotland but losing to winners Ireland (31-29) and England (31-19)
Australia won the Oceania Under-20 championship, beating New Zealand 24-0 in the final. There were only four teams taking part, and, apart from New Zealand, Australia beat Japan and Fiji.
Results against Common opponents
Fiji: Australia won 16-0; France won 36-20
Ireland: Australia won 45-17; France lost 31-19
England: Australia lost 56-31; France lost 31-19
Italy: Australia won 36-12; France won 35-31
Argentina: Australia won 34-13; France lost 47-26
Australia have done better but then before the semifinal South Africa had done better than France, but when it counted France beat them 20-7. The French have the reputation of being diabolically clever.
What does seem predictable is that it could well be a high-scoring match.
Scotland vs Fiji
A promotion-relegation match is always an emotional one.
This is the 12th Under-20 World Championship. Scotland have played in all 12 with a highest position of fifth (in 2017) but this is the first time they have been in this uncomfortable match.
Fiji played in the first seven tournaments before being relegated after the 2014 championship. Then in 2018 they won the Trophy and came back to this year’s championship, only to find themselves again embroiled in promotion-relegation.
Results Against Common Opponents
France: Fiji lost 36-20; Scotland lost 42-27
Georgia: Fiji lost 12-8; Scotland lost 17-12
New Zealand: Fiji lost 53-7; Scotland lost 50-33
Wales: Fiji lost 44-28; Scotland won 27-20
3rd Place Play-off
The bronze-medal match will be most interesting. South Africa have won the championship, come second one and fourth once, but they have won the bronze medal seven times.
Argentina have been in all 12 previous tournaments with a best of third place just once – in 2016.
But then in this tournament the Pumitas smashed France while the Baby Boks lost to them.
More significantly, these two teams have met before – just last month in fact. That was in Stellenbosch and Argentina won 34-33. And now the Pumitas are at home. They may well be confident!
Previous Results in Argentina
Round 1
Australia vs Italy, 36-12
France vs Fiji, 36-20
Ireland vs England, 42-26
New Zealand vs Georgia, 45-11
South Africa vs Scotland, 43-19
Wales vs Argentina, 30-25
Round 2
Argentina vs Fiji, 41-14
Australia vs Ireland, 45-17
England vs Italy, 24-3
France vs Wales, 32-13
New Zealand vs Scotland, 50-33
South Africa vs Georgia, 48-20
Round 3
Argentina vs France, 47-26
England vs Australia, 56-31
Georgia vs Scotland, 17-12
Ireland vs Italy, 38-14
South Africa vs New Zealand, 25-17
Wales vs Fiji, 44-28
Round 4
Australia vs Argentina, 34-13
England vs Ireland, 30-23
France vs South Africa, 20-7
Georgia vs Fiji, 12-8
Italy vs Scotland, 26-19
Wales vs New Zealand, 8-7
Final Fixtures
*Time are local.
10.30: 11/12 play-off: Scotland vs Fiji at Old Resians Club, Santa Fe
13.00: 7/8 play-off: Ireland vs New Zealand at Old Resians Club, Santa Fe
15.30: 9/10 play-off: Italy vs Georgia at Old Resians Club, Santa Fe
10.30: 5/6 play-off: Wales vs England at Racecourse Stadium, Rosario
13.00: 3/4 playoff: Argentina vs South Africa at Racecourse Stadium, Rosario
15.30: Final: France vs Australia at Racecourse Stadium, Rosario
Teams
*We shall add them when/if they become available.
Argentina: 15 Ignacio Mendy, 14 Francisco Jorge, 13 Tomás Acosta Pimentel, 12 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 11 Mate Carreras, 10 Joaquín de la Vega Mendia, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Bautiste Pedemonte, 7 Juan Martín Gonzalez, 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 5 Lucas Bur, 4 Manuel Bernstein, 3 Estanislao Carullo, 2 Pablo Dimcheff, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Francisco Minervino, 17 Mariano Muntaner, 18 Francisco Coria, 19 Francisco Calandra, 20 Ramiro Tallone, 21 Ignacio Ruiz, 22 Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel, 23 Federico Parnás, 24 Joaquín Pellandini, 25 Nicolás Roger, 26 Julián Quetglas, 27 Rodrigo Isgró, 28 Marco Moneta
Australia: 15 Isaac Lucas, 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Semisi Tupou, 12 Noah Lolesio, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Michael McDonald, 8 Will Harris, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Harry Wilson, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Michael Wood, 3 Josh Nasser, 2 Lachlas Lonergan, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Joe Cotton, 17 Bo Abra, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Rhys Van Nek, 20 Esei Ha’angana, 21 Nick Frost, 22 Carlo Tizzano, 23 Patrick Tafa, 24 Henry Robertson, 25 Ben Donaldson, 26 Kye Oates, 27 Joey Walton, 28 Sione Tui
Match Officials
England: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Fraser Dingwal (captain), 12 Luke James, 11 Josh Hodge, 10 Manu Vunipola, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Aaron Hinkley, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Joel Kpoku, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Will Capon, 1 James Kenny
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Olly Adkins, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Kai Owen, 20 Rusiate Tuima, 21 Richard Capstick, 22 Ollie Fox, 23 Tom Seabrook, 24 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 25 Connor Doherty
Fiji: 15 Osea Waqa, 14 Kaminieli Rasaku, 13 Veresa Tuqovu, 12 Ratumaitavuki, 11 Osea Natoga, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Aminasi Shaw, 7 livereti Loaloa, 6 Yabaki Seeto, 5 Christopher Minimbi, 4 Etonia Waqaninavatu, 3 Joseva Nasaroa, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Livai Natave
Replacements: 16 Lino Mairara, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Elijah Kuilamu, 19 Napolioni Mocelutu, 20 Anasa Qaranivalu, 21 Eparama Sailo, 22 Mesake Kurisaru, 23 Josh Vuta, 24 Ilaisa Droasese, 25 Epeli Momo
France: 15 Matthis Lebel, 14 Vincent Pinto, 13 Arthur Vincent (captain), 12 Julien Delbouis, 11 Donovan Taofifanua, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Leo Coly, 8 Jordan Joseph, 7 Thibault Hamonou, 6 Haddad Victor, 5 Florent Vanverberghe, 4 Killian Geraci, 3 Alex Burin, 2 Théo Lachand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Rayne Barka, 17 Eli Eglaine, 18 Georgi Beria, 19 Paul Mallez, 20 Gauthier Maravat, 21 Mathieu Hirigoyen, 22 Loïc Hocquet, 23 Quintin Delord, 24 Mathieu Smaïli, 25 Antoine Zeghoar, 26 Ethan Dumortier, 27 Alexandre De Nardi
Ireland: 15 Max O’Reilly, 14 Angus Kernohan, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Cormac Foley, 11 Rob Russell, 10 Jake Flannery,, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Brian Deeny, 7 Ronan Watters, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Thomas Ahern, 4 Charlie Ryan, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Declan Adamson, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Charlie Ward, 19 John McKee, 20 Niall Murray, 21 Luke Clohessy, 22 Azur Allison, 24 Colm Reilly, 25 Ben Healy, 26 Jonathan Wren, 27 David Ryan, 28 Aaron O’Sullivan
Italy: 15 Jacopo Trulla, 14 Edoardo Mastandrea, 13 Matteo Moscardi, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Cristian Lai, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Antoine Koffi, 7 Davide Ruggeri (captain), 6 Andrea Chianucci, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Nicolare Stoian, 3 Matteo Nocera, 2 Andrej Marinello, 1 Matteo Drudi
Replacements: 16 Niccolò Taddia, 17 Lorenzo Michelini, 18 Luca Franceschetto, 19 Filippo Alongi, 20 Thomas Parolo, 21 Angelo Maurizi, 22 Mirko Finotto, 23 Lorenzo Citton, 24 Giacomo Da Re, 25 Federico Mori, 26 Giulio Bertaccini, 27 Micheal Mba, 28 Ange Capuozzo
New Zealand: 15 Cole Forbes , 14 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Jeriah Mua, 6 Kaylum Boshier (captain), 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Cullen Grace, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Shilo Klein, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Robert Cobb, 18 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19 Tamaiti Williams, 20 Taine Plumtree, 22 James Thompson, 23 Kohan Herbert, 24 Leroy Carter, 25 Fergus Burke, 26 Dallas McLeod, 27 Chay Fihaki
Scotland: 15 Matt Davidson, 14 Rory McMichael, 13 Cameron Anderson, 12 Robbie McCallum, 11 Jack Blain, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Roan Frostwick, 8 Tom Marshall, 7 Connor Boyle (captain), 6 Marshall Sykes, 5 Ross Bundy, 4 Ewan Johnson, 3 Euan McLaren, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Murphy Walker
Replacements: 16 Rory Jackson, 17 Andrew Nimmo, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Mak Wilson, 20 Jack Hill, 21 Kwagga van Niekerk, 22 Teddy Leatherbarrow, 23 Murray Scott, 24 Nathan Chamberlain, 25 Grant Hughes, 26 Lomond MacPherson, 27 Ollie Smith
South Africa: 15 Vaughen Isaacs, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 David Kriel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi(captain), 7 Celimpilo Gumede, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Elrigh Louw, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Kudzwai Dube
Replacements: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Keagan Glade, 19 Thabiso Mdletshe, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Caleb Dingaan, 23 Jaden Hendrikse, 24 Janko Swanepoel, 25 Marnus Potgieter, 26 Zwelendaba Mnombo
Wales: 15 Ioan Davies, 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Deon Smith, 12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Cai Evans, 9 Harri Morgan, 8 Jac Morgan, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Iestyn Rees, 5 Jac Price, 4 Ed Scragg, 3 Nick English, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Rhys Davies
Replacements: Garin Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Ben Warren, Morgan Jones, Lennon Greggains, Dafydd Buckland, Rio Dyer, Tom Hoppe, Teddy Williams, Tom Devine, Ioan R Davies, Will Griffiths
Match Officials
Scotland vs Fiji at Old Resians Club in Santa Fe
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Juan Spirandelli (Argentina)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (England)
Ireland vs New Zealand at Old Resians Club in Santa Fe
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Ignacio Bocardo (Argentina)
Television match official: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Italy vs Georgia at Old Resians Club in Santa Fe
Referee: Pali Deluca (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Damian Schneider (Argentina), Martin Eusebio (Argentina)
Television match official: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Wales vs England at Racecourse Ground in Rosario
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Tomaz Bertazza (Argentina), Nicolas Cotic (Argentina)
Television match official: Ian Smith (Australia)
Argentina vs South Africa at Racecourse Ground in Rosario
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben Blain (Scotland), Christophe Ridley (England)
Television match official: Ian Smith (Australia)
France vs Australia at Racecourse Ground in Rosario
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Ben Blain (Scotland)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (England)
