Chile, Uruguay Junior Trophy Final

The Final of the inaugural International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Trophy will be an all-South American affair between Romania and Georgia, after they overcame Romania and Georgia at the Stade Français Club to finish top of their respective pools on Wednesday. 

Uruguay were the first to reach the Final after a determined and disciplined 20-16 win over Georgia at the Stade Français Club on Wednesday.

The host nation, Chile, beat Romania 14-3 – in the later match at Stade Français Club – to finish top of Pool A and set up a title decider with Uruguay.

The day’s two other matches took place at Estadio San Carlos – with Namibia and Korea both recording their first victories of the IRB Junior World Trophy against the Cook Islands 25-14 and Jamaica 55-17 respectively.

The Tournament draws to a conclusion on Sunday with four matches at Stade Français Club, culminating in the Final between Chile and Uruguay with the winner not only lifting the inaugural title, but also gaining promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009.

Finals Day

10.00: 7th place play-off: Cook Islands vs Jamaica
12.00: 5th place play-off: Namibia vs Korea
14.30: 3rd place play-off: Romania vs Georgia
16.30: Final: Chile vs Uruguay

Match Details

Chile vs Romania, 14-3

Romania had gone into the match sitting on top of Pool A by virtue of having secured bonus point victories over Namibia and the Cook Islands in comparison to Chile who scored four tries only in the opening match against the Cook Islands.

The Romanians also took the lead in only the third minute with a penalty from their flyhalf Alin Georgescu after Chile flanker Felipe Yaconi had been sent to the sin-bin by Uruguayan referee Gustavo Gerbasi.

Roared on by the 5 000 strong crowd, Chile held firm while a man down and went on to level the score at 3-3 with a penalty in the 24th minute through Francisco González after Romania’s prop Vlad Badlicescu was sin-binned.

Chile took the lead for the first time just before the interval first Santiago Fuenzalida and then the impressive second row Tomás Dahmen made a break through the centre, before the ball was spun wide to wing Felipe Brangier to step inside to score the try.

With the Chilean half back pairing continuing to impress with scrumhalf Max Rochette looking extremely good and flyhalf González showing a lot of vision, it was perhaps surprising that the next score did not come until the 68th minute.

González kicked a penalty then to stretch the advantage to 11-3 and Romania were then once again reduced to 14 men when wing Ionut Puisoru was sin-binned and the Chilean flyhalf again slotted home the kick to ease his side further ahead.

There was still time though for Chilean replacement Ignacio Silva to join Puisoru in the sin-bin for the final few minutes as Romanian were left ruing their inability to turn their possession into points as the host nation had been able to do.

Chile’s dreams of winning the title on home soil – and therefore secure promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009 – remain alive and they face Uruguay in the final at Stade Français Club on Sunday at 16:30 local time.

Romania meanwhile will look to bounce back and end the tournament strongly when they face Georgia in the third place playoff at the same venue.

Afterwards the Chile assistant coach Dalivor Franulic said: “It’s superb to now be in the final playing against our Uruguayan friends. We are very friendly with them and always pleased to play them. This was a question of courage and we played with width and with speed.

“Argentina showed the way in the Rugby World Cup and this shows that the region is very strong and that as much as you need skills, passion and guts are also very important.”

Scorers:

For Chile:
Try: Brangier
Pens: Gonzalez 3

For Romania:
Pen: Georgescu

Teams:

Chile: 15 Santiago Fuenzalida, 14 Felipe Brangier, 13 Francisco de la Fuente, 12 Ricardo Sifri, 11 Diego Schachner, 10 Francisco Gonzalez, 9 Max Rochette, 8 Benjamín Del Solar (captain), 7 Felipe Yaconi, 6 Sebastián Aviles, 5 Tomás Dahmen, 4 Nicolás Lafrentz, 3 Luka Salamunic, 2 Benjamin Barbosa, 1 Alejandro Rios
Replacements: 16 Sebastian Gonzalez, 17 Felipe Beltran, 18 Pablo Huete, 19 Ignacio Silva, 20 Alonso Oliver, 21 Francisco Metuaze, 22 José Ignacio Larenas

Romania: 15 Adrian Maftei, 14 Ionut Puisoru, 13 Ionel Cazan (captain), 12 Viorel Zamfir, 11 Madalin Lemnaru, 10 Alin Georgescu, 9 Valentin Ivan, 8 Bogdan Petreanu, 7 Alexandru Beldean, 6 Alexandru Mitu, 5 Alexandru Valcu, 4 Cristian Munteanu, 3 Vlad Badalicescu, 2 Eduard Marinca, 1 Petre Zapan
Replacements: 16 Nichita Iacob, 17 Constantin Dumitru, 18 Florin Enache, 19 David Maris, 20 Mihaita Zainea, 21 Robert Topala, 22 Ionut Florea

Referee: Gustavo Gerbasi (Uruguay)
Touch judges: Heykel Bahroun (Tunisia), Javier Mancuso (Argentina)
Match Commissioner: Philippe Bourdarias (France)

Ururgauy vs Georgia, 20-16

The Uruguayans came out on top through their sheer guts and determination to win the Pool B decider, although their discipline was also a key factor as they refused to give away kickable penalties – unlike their opponents who had two players sin-binned in the second half.

Georgia had opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a penalty from fullback Goderdzi Joglidze – a kick which made him the leading point scorer in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy – but wing Tomas Jolivet edged Uruguay into the lead eight minutes later by rounding off a flowing counter attack.

The try came from a drop out, Uruguay counterattacking with fullback Santiago Gortari kicking ahead with Jolivet chasing to touch down for what proved the only try of the first half.

Two more penalties from the boot of Joglidze edged Georgia back in front as the half hour approached, but Uruguay responded with two kicks of their own from centre Geronimo Etcheverry to take a slender 11-9 lead into half time.

Joglidze edged Georgia ahead within 10 minutes of the break by converting his own try, which came from a maul before the play opened up and the fullback had to pace to beat the Uruguayan defence on the outside.

But Georgia then had number 8 Viktor Kolelishvili sin-binned in the 62 minute and Uruguayan flyhalf Germán Albanell kicked the penalty to cut the deficit to two points

Another Albanell penalty edged Uruguay back in front and although the South Americans spent the last five minutes deep in their own half, they were able to add another penalty from their flyhalf before Georgia had their hooker Beka Skhulukhia sin-binned for striking an opponent.

Uruguay therefore finish top of Pool B after beating Georgia, Jamaica and Korea and will now meet the Pool A winner in the final at Stade Français Club on Sunday with the prize of not only the inaugural title but also promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009 within their grasps.

Afterwards the Uruguay head coach Bruno Grunwaldt: “We didn’t play the game we wanted to but it was all about winning. We played with the usual Uruguayan heart. On average Georgian forwards were 19kg heavier in the pack per player, so we really didn’t want to have to play that type of game, but even playing that game we managed to win it. We came to win every game and that means we are the champions – that is our goal.”

Scorers:

For Uruguay:
Tries: Jolivet
Pens: Etcheverry 2, Albanell 3

For Georgia:
Tries: Joglidze
Con: Joglidze
Pens: Joglidze 3

Teams:

Uruguay: 15 Santiago Gortari, 14 Tomas Jolivet, 13 Geronimo Etcheverry, 12 Adrian Lewis, 11 Leandro Leivas, 10 Germán Albanell, 9 Francisco Vecino, 8 Matías Fonseca (captain), 7 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara, 5 Agustin Bordaberry, 4 Diego Magno, 3 Rafael Tchilingirbachain, 2 Juan Pablo Ruffalini, 1 Eduardo Benitez
Replacements: 16 Agustin Fiorito, 17 Joaquin Rocco, 18 Alejandro Nieto, 19 Federico Perez, 20 Miguel Horta, 21 Juan De Freitas, 22 Santiago Gibernau

Georgia: 15 Goderdzi Joglidze, 14 Alexandre Tuchashvili, 13 Sandro Inashvili, 12 Rati Nutsubidze, 11 Jaba Kikvidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Rokhvadze, 8 Viktor Kolelishvili, 7 Archil Kobauri (captain), 6 Vakhtang Mdzinarishvili, 5 Alexi Iordanashvili, 4 David Chichua, 3 Giorgi Jashitashvili, 2 Beka Skhulukhia, 1 Irakli Mirtskhulava
Replacements: 16 Vasil Kakovin, 17 Beka Nikolaishvili, 18 Giorgi Toradze, 19 Irakli Revishvili, 20 George Chincharauli (R, )  21 Giga Korkelia, 22 Vakhtang Kavtidze

Referee: Salvador Encinas (Chile)
Touch judge: Heykel Bahroun (Tunisia), Javier Mancuso (Argentina)
Match Commissioner Philippe Bourdarias (France)

Namibia vs Cook Islands, 25-14

Both sides made a number of changes to their starting line-ups in a bid to claim an elusive first win in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. However, it was the Namibians who took control of the match early on courtesy of a dominant forward display to run out convincing winners and book a place in Sunday’s fifth place play off.

The first half was a tight affair, with neither side daring to take too many risks, but it was the Cooks Islands that broke the deadlock through the boot of flyhalf Roney Maui, who sent the ball soaring between the uprights for an early 3-0 lead.

Spurred into action, Namibia pressed to get back into the match and soon responded when Shawn Kaizemi crossed for a try, which the centre converted to give his side a 7-3 advantage.

With a powerful Namibian side in the ascendancy, it was looking as though the Cook Islands would struggle, but although Namibia stretched further ahead via a Kaizemi penalty, the Cooks fought valiantly and created a number of opportunities of their own.

With time running out in the half, the Cooks Islands battered the Namibia line and were rewarded with their first try of the night courtesy of prop Alex Woonton’s push for the line. Although the conversion drifted wide of the upright the Cook Islands were just two points adrift.

With the match balanced on a knife edge it looked as though the Cooks had done enough to go into the interval within a score, but as the clocked ticked over for the fourth minute of first half injury time, Namibia dealt a significant blow as hooker Theo Coetzee crashed over to secure his side a welcome 15-8 buffer at half time.

In a gripping match of high quality, the Santiago crowd were treated to a superb second half of rugby during which the Cook Islands threw everything at their Namibian counterparts in a concerted attempt to regain the lead.

However, it was the superb tactical kicking of the Namibian back three that kept the Cooks Islands at bay and the African side stretched their lead further via a Robert Bergh penalty, before Kaizemi added to his personal tally with a breathtaking 55 metre drop goal that took the Namibians almost out of sight at 18-11.

The Cooks Islands came back strongly and dominated the middle section of the half as they pressed for a second try and they were eventually rewarded for their efforts with a second Maui penalty, which reduced the arrears to just four points with 13 minutes to go.

That, though, was as close as the Cooks were to come as despite the introduction of fresh legs, the islanders were unable to secure the all important try. With time running out and Namibia’s defence dominating, it seemed as though the match would not deliver another try.

However, as the Cooks pressed, mistakes were forthcoming and Namibia capitalised and closed out the match through replacement Cedric Haraseb’s try six minutes from time. Kaizemi added the icing to the cake with a superbly struck conversion to make the final score 25-14.

The Namibian captain Thomasau Forbes said: “We produced some great tackling today, which was the key to the win. We played considerably better than the first two matches and stuck at it – our defence made the difference.”

Scorers:

For Namibia:
Tries: Kaizemi, Coetzee, Haraseb
Cons: Kaizemi 2
Pen: Kaizemi
DG: Kaizemi

For Cook Islands:
Try: Woonton
Pens: Maui 3

Teams:

Namibia: 15 Colin De Koe, 14 Chrysander Botha, 13 Shawn Kaizemi, 12 JP Myburgh, 11 Ronnie Roberts, 10 Robbie Bergh, 9 Ronald Slamet, 8 Thomasau Forbes (captain), 7 Harold Kasera, 6 Janee Karuaihe, 5 Ruaan van Taak, 4 Renaud van Neel, 3 Kerneels Myburgh, 2 Theo Coetzee, 1 Erik Burger
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Loubser, 17 Lloydt Busch, 18 Murray Hugo, 19 Ashley Tjombe, 20 Jacques Nell, 21 Cedric Haraseb, 22 Robert Herridge 

Cook Islands:   15 Laurence Clarken, 14 Eddy Nicholas, 13 Ced Toru, 12 Terua Tuisovivi, 11 George Pamatatau, 10 Roney Maui, 9 Tepou Nipurahi, 8 Pirikamu Enua, 7 Papa Mataroa (captain), 6 Aka Matapo, 5 Norman Heather, 4 Shahn Eru, 3 Matthew Latham, 2 Jamie Rolton, 1 Alexander Woonton
Replacements: 16 Jovan Pupuke, 17 Tahiri Elikana, 18 Terrence Glassie, 19 Patella Tou, 20 Moelata Uitime, 21 Metua Tuare, 22 Tony Moeauri 

Referee: Marcin Zeszutek (Poland)
Touch judges: Horatiu Bargaunas (Romania), Jaime Vial (Chile)
Match Commissioner Patrick Hurley (Chile)

Korea vs Jamaica, 55-17

The Koreans, who had not recorded a victory in the competition prior to the match, laid the platform for the victory with an impressive six-try return, but it was the Jamaicans who received a standing ovation when their scrumhalf Hubert Thomas crossed for the first try of the match and Jamaica’s opening try of the tournament after just three minutes.

That, though, was as close as the Jamaicans were to get as Korea made use of their rapier backs and powerful forwards to power back into the match. Shin Young Jin got the Koreans off the mark with a try after 15 minutes and the floodgates opened as number eight Kim Hyun Soo crossed five minutes later for a try converted by Seo In Soo.

Jamaica, playing in their first IRB Age Grade tournament, were courageous in defence, but struggled to withstand the barrage of attacks launched deep inside their territory and Korea burst through for a third try through winger Kim Gwong Min. Seo In Soo added the extras. Less than a minute had elapsed before Korea scored their fourth, this time through imposing second row Kwon Soon Yong.

Korea’s scoring surge was stemmed briefly as Hubert Thomas crossed for his second converted score on 31 minutes, but it was to be a temporary respite as Korea had time before the interval to score two further tries through Kim Hyun Soo and Jeong Yong Woo to leave the Koreans with a comfortable 36-17 lead.

The second half was all one way traffic, though the Jamaicas tackled heroically and countered at every opportunity. Korea threw on the substitutions after the interval, but the changes did not seem to affect their rhythm as three further tries were scored with Kim Hyun Soo completing a memorable quartet of tries.

The number eight’s hat trick was secured in the fifth minute of the second half, as he dotted down in the corner for an unconverted try which stretched Korea’s lead to 41-17. On 66 minutes the back row player rounded off a solid personal display with his fourth try of the match, converted by Seo In Soo.

The final minutes were all Korea and buoyed by an improved team performance, the Koreans had time for one final try seven minutes from time, with powerhouse prop Shin Young Jin crossing for his second try of the match to round off a good day at the office for Korea.

Afterwards the Jamaican scrumhalf Hubert Thomas said: “When I saw the ball coming my way I just sprinted through, caught it and sprinted for the post. What a great feeling to score the try. I said to myself I should try to score another one, so when later on, I kicked the ball ahead, re-gathered and went over for the second try, I thought that we will be able to win. By that time I had hurt my knee as well and I was limping, but when I caught the ball I sprinted through as if I had nothing. As the boys picked me up, I said to them – two more, but it was not to be. I am happy nevertheless with my performance”

Scorers:

For Korea:
Tries: Shin Young Jin 2, Kim Hyun Soo 4, Kim Gwong Min, Kwon Soon Yong, Jeong Yong Woo
Cons: Seo In Soo 5

For Jamaica:
Tries: Thomas 2
Cons: Brown 2
Pen: Brown

Teams:

Korea: 15 Jeong Yong Woo, 14 Seo In Soo, 13 Lee Sung Beom, 12 Kim In Kyu, 11 Kim Gwong Min, 10 Lee Ui Gyu, 9 Park Sung Jun, 8 Kim Hyun Soo, 7 Kim Ji Woong, 6 Lee Chang Suk (captain), 5 Kwon Soon Yong, 4 Choi Min Suk, 3 Choi Dong Hoon, 2 Jo Eun Seong, 1 Shin Young Jin
Replacements: 16 Oh Sin Am, 17 Cho Jin Hyun, 18 Mun Ho Jun, 19 Lee Jong Min, 20 Choo Ho Young, 21 Lee Sae Ho, 22 Woo Seung Jin,

Jamaica: 15 Sebastian Stewart, 14 Renaldo Wade, 13 Fabian Atkinson, 12 Tyronie Rowe (captain), 11 Kenneth Walker, 10 Smeathan Tapper, 9 Hubert Thomas, 8 Shane Brown, 7 Clifford Clarke, 6 Brian Hutchinson, 5 Andre McFarlane, 4 Jerome Dawkins, 3 Sheldon McDonald, 2 Christopher Granville, 1 Andre Mignott
Replacements: 16 Keta Bryan, 17 Roxroy Alcott, 18 Keith Dawson, 19 Trafelous Walker, 20 Terrence Morris, 21 Demetri Barrett, 22 Andrew Hylton 

Referee: Ucha Narimanidze (Georgia)
Touch judges: Horatiu Bargaunas (Romania), Jaime Vial (Chile)
Match Commissioner Patrick Hurley (Chile)

Reports from the IRB