U19 Pool A - Round 2
The Baby Blacks soar while the Baby Boks come crashing down.
The match details and reports are provided by the IRB.
France vs South Africa, 17-8
France claimed their second victory of the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007 with a 17-8 win which leaves South Africa needing to beat Ireland in their final pool match to finish in the top four.
The game at Ravenhill was a bruising encounter with both sides eager to add to their opening match victories. There was an added edge to the game with France having beaten South Africa 42-3 in last year’s tournament.
France lost prop Erwin Iapteff early in the game due to a neck injury. The scrums were a heavily contested area of the game thereafter, with neither team gaining an advantage.
Fullback Mathieu Belie gave France an early lead when he kicked a long range penalty. Belie used the wind advantage throughout the first half to pin South Africa deep into their half.
Aggressive French defence then led to a mix-up by South Africa which French captain Morgan Parra seized upon and he dived under the posts. Belie slotted the conversion for a 10-0 lead.
Wing Stephan Dippenaar pulled a try back for South Africa on 20 minutes after good work by the South African forwards. The conversion was held up in the wind leaving South Africa trailing by five points.
On the stroke of half time the powerful French centre Mathieu Bastareaud shrugged off two challenges to touch down, with Belie again converting to give France a 17-5 lead at the break.
The South Africans looked as if they could turn the game around when centre Stefan Watermeyer scored a penalty early in the second half, but that was the only scoring of the second period.
Defences remained on top for the rest of the half, with South Africa’s inability to secure possession allowing the French to take a strangle hold on the game.
France was reduced to 14 men late on when lock Yoann Maestri was yellow carded but their strong defence kept the South Africans out.
France now move onto play defending champions Australian in their final pool match at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins.
Afterwards the South African captain, Gerrit van Velze said: “I am disappointed as we could not turn our opportunities into points. We missed tackles and that makes it much worse. However, we will look forward to scoring four tries against Ireland and meeting the French in the semi finals.”
The French head coach Christophe Mombet said: “We are very proud to have beaten South Africa for the second year. We need to recover for a big game against Australia and see if our prop will be fit. We have a good group of players and I am pleased with the spirit in the squad.”
Scorers
For South Africa:
Try: Stephan Dippenaar
Pen: Stefan Watermeyer
For France:
Tries: Morgan Parra, Mathieu Bastareaud
Cons: Mathieu Belie
Pen: Mathieu Belie
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Wilton Pietersen, 14 Stephan Dippenaar, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Francois Hougaard, 11 Aubrey McDonald, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marlin Ruiters, 8 Gerrit van Velze (captain), 7 Johan van Deventer, 6 Thiliphaut Marole, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Frederick Kirsten, 2 Henri Bantjes, 1 Corne Fourie
Replacements (from): 16 Pieter Janse Van Vuuren, 17 Jean-Jacques Rossouw, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Berend Botha, 20 Earl-Jivan Snyman, 21 Sobelo Nhlapo, 22 Bernado Botha, 23 Mlindazwe Nqoro, 24 Vainon Willis, 25 Yaasir Hartzenberg, 26 Tshepo Masuga
France: 15 Mathieu Belie, 14 Khaled Zagar, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Yann David, 11 Wesley Fofana, 10 Morgan Parra (captain), 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Raphael Lakafia, 7 Arthur Chollon, 6 Laurent Thuery, 5 Jean Roidot, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Nicolas Agnesi, 2 Antonin Raffault, 1 Erwann Iapteff
Replacements (from): 16 Jordan Merle, 17 Raphael Olive, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Antoine Loubiere, 20 Erwan Berot, 21 Charles Gimenez, 22 Adrien Tomas, 23 Cedric Coll, 24 Djibril Camara, 25 Yohan Vivalda
New Zealand vs Japan, 107-6
New Zealand ran in 17 tries to overwhelm Japan and post the highest score of the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007 with their 107-6 victory at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins – a result which sees them move to the top of the Division A standings.
Flank Luke Braid opened the scoring with the first of his three tries in the match after six minutes, wing Sean Maitland having made good ground before slipped a pass inside to Braid when he was confronted by the Japanese fullback Yasutaka Sasakura.
Daniel Kirkpatrick kicked the conversion, the first of seven the flyhalf kicked in the match which, together with a try in each half, gave him a personal haul of 28 points in the victory as New Zealand’s superior firepower in both the forwards and bac line proved too much for the Japanese.
Further tries followed in the first half from Jackson Willison, Liukanasi Manu, Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg, captain Winston Stanley, Braid, Paea Fa’anunu and Zach Guildford. However Japan stuck to their task and were rewarded for a foray into the New Zealand half by a Takaya Iida penalty after 29 minutes.
New Zealand had already made certain of the victory by half-time, leading as they did 64-3, but that did not stop the 2005 and 2006 runners-up attacking at every opportunity against a Japanese side who bravely battled to try and stem the flow of points.
Seven second-half tries followed with Kirkpatrick, Maitland and Manu claiming their second of the match, Braid completing his hat-trick, Kade Poki grabbing a double and Quentin MacDonald also crossing the try line.
Japan though did manage to double their score just before the hour mark when centre Keisuke Masuda kicked a drop goal, but they still suffered a slightly heavier defeat than the 90-10 loss to New Zealand in the pool stages of last year’s tournament in Dubai.
New Zealand now face England in their final pool match at Ravenhill on Friday in what should prove to be a titanic battle, while Japan will meet another side looking for their first win in Samoa at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins on the same evening.
Scorers
For New Zealand:
Tries: Luke Braid 3, Jackson Willison, Liukanasi Manu, Sean Maitland 2, Daniel Kirkpatrick 2, Israel Dagg, Winston Stanley, Paea Fa’anunu, Zach Guildford, Liukanasi Manu, Quentin MacDonald, Kade Poki 2
Cons: Daniel Kirkpatrick 9, Israel Dagg
For Japan:
Pen: Takaya Iida
Drop: Keisuke Masuda
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Winston Stanley (captain), 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Zach Guildford, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Matthew Cameron, 8 Liukanasi Manu, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Peter Saili, 5 Josh Townsend, 4 Thomas Crowley, 3 Nicholas Barrett, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Paea Fa’anunu
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Chris Smith, 21 John Hardie, 22 Wayne Ngaluafe, 23 Trent Renata, 24 Ryan Crotty, 25 Kade Poki
Japan: 15 Yasutaka Sasakura, 14 Naoki Chono, 13 Keisuke Masuda, 12 Toyokazu Horita, 11 Naoki Katchi, 10 Takaya Iida, 9 Tappei Higashide (captain), 8 Shohei Maekawa, 7 Choong Woo Han, 6 Hiraoki Sugimoto, 5 Norimasa Kuribayashi, 4 Eiri Nakada, 3 Masahiko Nakagawa, 2 Ryosuke Inoue, 1 Masataka Mikami
Replacements (from): 16 Futoshi Mori, 17 Masaru Furutate, 18 Koichi Nitta, 19 Keisuke Masuda, 20 Mizuki Yanagihara, 21 Yuichiro Ogihara, 22 Katsuyuki Sakai, 23 Takamasa Okubo, 24 Jumpei Ohira, 25 Ryo Morita
Wales vs Samoa, 33-20
Wales beat Samoa 33-20 in a free flowing match in Division A at the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007. Both teams needed to win after opening round losses.
Leigh Halfpenny opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a penalty. Samoan scrumhalf Alatasi Tupou was penalised for joining a ruck from the side following strong Welsh pressure.
Samoa hit back immediately with a breakaway try from flank Afa Aiono who had charged down David Langdon’s attempt at a drop goal. Titi Jnr Esau added two points from the conversion.
It didn’t take Wales long to retake the lead following slick handling in the backs. Centre Luke Ford cut inside to set up a ruck from which flank Jevon Groves crossed for Wales’s opening try.
Not long before the break there was a five minute burst of scoring. Esau kicked two penalties either side of Halfpenny’s second try and conversion to put Wales 15-13 ahead at half time.
In the opening minutes of the second period Halfpenny stretched Wales’ lead further with two penalties, whilst second row Seti Tafua was yellow-carded for killing the ball.
Wales took advantage of being a man up when Gareth Williams put in a cross-field kick which Halfpenny caught to score his second try of the match.
As the match continued the tension grew when Samoa sought in vain to catch up. The tension then boiled over when Atenai Aii was sent off for stamping.
Rhys Williams added a further try for Wales in the closing minutes, which Halfpenny converted to finish with a personal tally of 17 points.
Before the end Samoa grabbed a second try when Aiono took a short pass and offloaded to replacement Faialaga Afamasaga who scored under the posts, which Alatasi Tupou converted.
Wales now face a tough match against South American Under-19 champions Argentina on Friday, whilst Samoa meets Japan who have also lost both their matches.
Afterwards the Samoa coach Mauia Vaapuu Vitale: “Discipline can be a problem but we will look to see the video tape to make sure the red card was actually a red card decision. There was a bit of trouble from both sides I thought.”
Wales assistant coach Patrick Horgan: “Our defence improved a great deal from our last game against New Zealand and I think that contributed a whole lot to our win today.”
Scorers
For Samoa:
Tries: Afa Aiono, Faialaga Afamasaga
Cons: Titi Jnr Esau, Alatasi Tupou
Pens: Titi Jnr Esau 2
For Wales:
Tries: Jevon Groves, Leigh Halfpenny 2, Rhys Williams
Cons: Leigh Halfpenny 2
Pens: Leigh Halfpenny 3
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Titi Jnr Esau, 14 David Masoe, 13 Fualaga Pemita, 12 Peniamina Malaga, 11 Thretton Palamo, 10 Salevi Leota, 9 Alatasi Tupou (captain), 8 Richard Muagutitia, 7 Afa Aiono, 6 Misioka Timoteo, 5 Maselino Paulino, 4 Seti Tafua, 3 Kalem Chan Boon, 2 Atenai Aii, 1 Siaosi Iona
Replacements (from): 16 Siologa Leota, 17 Davidson Tavita, 18 Anetelea Lalotoa, 19 Faalemiga Selesele, 20 Ikoke Solomona, 21 Tenina Sauileoge, 22 Faialaga Afamasaga, 23 Jonathan Faletoese, 24 Rowley Tofa, 25 Seti Talalelei, 26 Tuavae Pati
Wales: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Jimmy Norris, 13 Luke Ford, 12 Rhys Williams, 11 Leigh Halfpenny, 10 David Langdon, 9 Gareth Williams, 8 Sam Warburton (captain), 7 Nic Cudd, 6 Jevon Groves, 5 Josh Turnbull, 4 Haydn Pugh, 3 Patrick Palmer, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Ryan Bevington
Replacements (from): 16 Huw Dowden, 17 Lloyd Elliott, 18 Phil Price, 19 Nathan White, 20 Lloyd Phillips, 21 Jonathan Griffiths, 22 Rhys Webb, 23 Gareth Owen, 24 Tom Williams, 25 Nick Harwood, 26 James Egan
England vs Argentina, 17-15
England and Argentina went into their Division A encounter at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins in the knowledge that victory would edge them closer to a semi-final spot at the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007.
Both sides had won their opening games against Samoa and Argentina respectively and it was England who held on for a narrow 17-15 victory in a tight game that saw the teams perform in front of a large crowd with plenty of vocal encouragement.
England opened the scoring in the 10th minute when captain and No.8 Hugo Ellis touched down after his pack drove the ball over from a five-metre line-out with Argentina unable to repel the drive.
Argentina though responded well to going behind and pressure exerted on the England scrum resulted in turn-over ball, which scrumhalf Martin Landajo fed out to wing Ignacio Poet Belmonte for him to sprint in from the 22 metre line.
With half-time approaching England extended their lead when centre Alex Tait, brother of full international Mathew, raced in to give his side a 14-5 advantage at the break with Alex Goode having converted both this and Ellis’ try.
The second half was a tighter affair with Goode kicking a penalty after eight minutes stretching England’s lead to 17-5, but Argentina were not finished and Belmonte responded with a penalty before Guillermo Roan set up a nervous finish with a try.
Belmonte converted to cut the deficit to only two points, but England managed to hold out for the victory and now face New Zealand, who currently head the standings after beating Japan 107-6, in their final pool match at Ravenhill on Friday.
Argentina picked up a bonus point from this game, so have six points from their two matches and need to beat Wales and secure another bonus point at Shaw’s Bridge on the same night to boost their chances of reaching the semi finals.
Afterwards Argentina’s coach Patricio Noriega said: “We were disappointed to lose, but I thought that we played well without getting the result. We know that we need to win our final game but the bonus point that we earned tonight may well be vital. We achieved many of our objectives but will need to be on top form for the last game.”
The England coach Nigel Redman said: “We are pleased that we fought out a win against an Argentinian side that never gave up. You have to give full credit to them. I think that our preparations [for our next game] will include a look at a video of New Zealand and we will work to try to eliminate the errors that were evident in the game this evening.”
The England captain Hugo Ellis said: “That was a very tough match, but we fought hard and came out on the right side. I was pleased to score a try but it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Scoring from a yard out has become a trademark of mine.”
Scorers
For Argentina:
Tries: Ignacio Poet Belmonte, Guillermo Roan
Con: Ignacio Poet Belmonte
Pen: Ignacio Poet Belmonte
For England:
Tries: Hugo Ellis, Alex Tait
Cons: Alex Goode 2
Pen: Alex Goode
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Belisario Agulla (captain), 14 Ignacio Poet Belmonte, 13 Juan Pablo Socino, 12 Nicolas Sanchez, 11 Diego Palma, 10 Matias Thomas, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Francisco Panessi, 7 Guido Lofiego, 6 Marcos Insua, 5 Anibal Panzeira Garrido, 4 Jorge Hill Basilio, 3 Facundo Corimayo, 2 Roberto Tejerizo, 1 Juan Figallo
Replacements (from): 16 Ignacio di Santi, 17 Jeronimo Negroto, 18 Javier Perez, 19 Lisandro Ahaulli de Chazal, 20 Juan Pablo Estelles, 21 Federico Durba, 22 Guillermo Roan, 23 Nicolas Andres, 24 Juan Mangione, 25 Manuel Trebucq, 26 Cristian Etchart
England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Smith, 13 Tom Bedford, 12 Alex Tait, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Gareth Griffiths, 9 Richard Bolt, 8 Hugo Ellis (captain), 7 Garth Dew, 6 Matthew Cox, 5 Gregor Gillanders, 4 Benjamin Thomas, 3 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Scott Freer, 1 Jack Steadman
Replacements (from): 16 Joe Williams, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Billy Moss, 19 Scott Hobson, 20 Daniel Pointon, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Greg King, 23 Noah Cato, 24 Adam Greendale, 25 Andrew Saull, 26 Jonathan Fisher
Australia vs Fiji, 23-12
Defending champions Australia remain on course for the semi-finals after overcoming a spirited Fiji side 23-12 at Ravenhill to record their second Division A victory in the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007.
Fiji, who had lost to 2005 champions on their Division A debut last Thursday, showed early promise when within minutes of the kick off when their stand out player Henry Speight found himself in space on the left wing.
Speight chipped ahead and was fortunate that the bounce beat covering defender Peter Betham, allowing him to collect and run in to score under the posts. Fiji continued to dominate but were unable to convert their pressure into points
They were made to rue that fact as Australia, in their very first attack, scored their first try when the ball was spun wide with excellent pace, creating an overlap which left wing Andrew Barrett was able to exploit.
Australia took the lead for the first time on the stroke of half-time when the cover defence was nowhere to be found and wing Blair Connor went over in the corner to give the defending champions a 10-5 advantage at the break.
As the second half began Australia showed their intent by declining three easy points with a penalty and opting for a scrum, from which Barrett scored his second try of the match after impressive handling along the back line.
Australia increased their lead shortly afterwards when inside centre Mitchell Inman found a gap outside his opposite number and was eventually able to offload to Connor, who crossed for his second score only seven minutes into the second half.
Fiji continued to push forward in search of a second try and it came in the 56th minute through scrumhalf Peni Rokodiva had an easy finish following a succession of breaks from Ratu Natubavivi Kasami.
Jeremy Su’a made certain of victory for Australia with a late penalty from the Fiji 22 metre line.
Australia will now face a tough encounter against France at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins on Friday to try and secure a semi final place, while Fiji will look to record a first win against Scotland, who have also suffered two defeats in the tournament.
Afterwards the Australia coach Phil Mooney said: “We’re happy to have won and scored four tries to get the bonus point.”
The Fijian coach Josua Toakula said: “I am really proud of my boys, especially against the champions of this tournament. We’ve been working really hard but we lost a few balls today through really basic mistakes.”
Scorers
For Australia:
Tries: Andrew Barrett 2, Blair Connor 2
Pen: Jeremy Su’a
For Fiji:
Tries: Henry Speight,Peni Rokodiva
Con: Kini Murimurivalu
Teams:
Australia: 15 Peter Betham, 14 Blair Connor, 13 Brett Gillespie (captain), 12 Mitchell Inman, 11 Andrew Barrett, 10 Patrick McCabe, 9 Jeremy Su’a, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Rodney Maa, 6 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Daley, 2 James Hanson, 1 Tetera Faulkner
Replacements (from): 16 Daniel Penca, 17 Daniel Palmer, 18 Albert Anae, 19 Adam Campbell, 20 Michael Uoka, 21 Chris Harkins, 22 Dan Robinson, 23 Jason Ryan, 24 Alfi Mafi, 25 John Grant
Fiji: 15 Seremaia Tagicakibau, 14 Isikeli Vuruna, 13 Setoki Butukoro, 12 Rakuita Vakalalabure, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Tevita Taga, 9 Peni Rokodiva, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Uraia Vecenadavui, 6 Manoa Driu, 5 Tevita Tuiloa, 4 John Vugakoto (captain), 3 Jack Lalai, 2 Peni Kilibau,1 Mesake Sotiakivanuayawa
Replacements (from): 16 Serpepeli Qaranivalu, 17 Waqabaca Kotobalavu, 18 Temo Vakaloloma, 19 Josese Bolabasaga Niutini, 20 Jese Cirikisuva, 21 Vuga Tagicakibau, 22 Ratu Natubavivi Kasami, 23 William Saukuru, 24 Seru Baleinatauba, 25 Kini Murimurivalu
Ireland vs Scotland, 13-12
Ireland’s flyhalf Scott Deasy broke Scottish hearts when he won the match with the last kick of the game deep into injury time, giving Ireland a 13-12 victory which keeps the host’s IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007 hopes alive.
Irish centre Eoin O’Malley’s try took Ireland to one point behind Scotland and left Deasy the chance to win the game and he had the composure to secure the victory in front of a vociferous crowd at Ravenhill.
The valiant Scots held Ireland up over the line on four occasions and Irish hooker Stephen Douglas had two attempts to score the crucial try, but on each occasion the Scottish repelled and held their lead.
The Irish were encamped on the Scotland try-line for ten minutes and it appeared as though the Scottish team were about to hold out for a victory they deserved.
Scotland had a great chance to score when flyhalf Ruaidridh Jackson and wing Lee Jones broke away, but centre Jamie Smith raced back to make a try saving tackle on Lee Jones.
Up to that point Scotland had shown great maturity even when the game didn’t go their way and were well led by flanker Fraser McKenzie.
All their points came through the boot of centre Stephen McColl who scored four penalties on a night when Ravenhill’s wind was particularly difficult to judge.
Deasy had given Ireland an early lead with a penalty of his own and later added another in the second half, but it was his conversion that will be remembered most.
Ireland meet South Africa next who also have to win to have any chance of securing a top four place.
Scotland meanwhile will aim to make the 5th-8th place play-offs by beating Fiji.
Afterwards Ireland’s coach Charlie McAleese said: “I’m delighted with the result and the spirit of my team. I must however pay tribute to the Scottish players as they were desperately unlucky not to hold on.”
“You can see how the results have gone so far where all the teams have been evenly matched, and so we are realistic when we say we can go far.”
Scotland’s coach Peter Wright said: “To lose games is tough but to loose in such a manner is heartbreaking for the lads. We must learn from this experience, and look to our next game.”
Scotland’s captain, Frazer McKenzie said: “Both teams played out of their skins, I feel very disappointed but hugely proud of my team mates.”
“We didn’t notice the crowd so much as we were so focused on the game. It is disappointing that we have lost two very close games, but I am looking forward to the Fiji game, where we will put things right.”
Scorers
For Scotland:
Pens: Stephen McColl 4
For Ireland:
Try: Eoin O’Malley
Con: Scott Deasy
Pens: Scott Deasy 2
Teams;
Scotland: 15 Murray Allan, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Chris Kinloch, 12 Stephen McColl, 11 Tom Bury, 10 Ruairidh Jackson, 9 Ross Samson, 8 Alexandre Wukovits, 7 Kevin Bryce, 6 Fraser McKenzie (C), 5 Josh Brown, 4 Neale Patrick, 3 Joe Stafford, 2 Adrian Duncan, 1 Gary Strain
Replacements (from: 16 Ralph McInally, 17 Angus Dixon, 18 Lewis Niven, 19 Craig Charters, 20 Steven Burton, 21 Mathew Heeks, 22 James Murray, 23 Ruairidh Bonner, 24 Redha Guedroudj, 25 Craig Simmonds, 26 Harry Duthie
Ireland: 15 Adam Craig, 14 Niall Morris, 13 Eoin O’Malley, 12 Conor Cleary, 11 Paddy Brophy, 10 Scott Deasy, 9 Harry McAleese, 8 Paul Ryan (C), 7 Rajan Riley, 6 Kieran Essex, 5 Ian Nagle, 4 Brian Cawley, 3 Matthew Nelson, 2 Stephen Douglas, 1 Paul Karayiannis
Replacements: 16 Michael Sherry, 17 Ian Leonard, 18 Patrick McCabe, 19 David Foley, 20 Patrick Mallon, 21 Kris Greene, 22 Alan Gaughan, 23 Jamie Smith, 24 Murray Kinsella, 25 Tommy Seymour, 26 Jason Harris-Wright
