AUS and NZ U20s triumph on Day 1
The Australian and New Zealand Under-20s have started their Oceania Rugby Junior Championship with a win each after defeating Samoa 33-10 and 75-0 respectively at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
Australia scored four tries to Samoa’s two as the Australian backs capitalised on an impressive effort to contain the Samoan forwards.
In the other match New Zealand accounted for Japan 75-0 in a clinical display of running Rugby.
Australia next take on Japan on day two of the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship on Tuesday, May
New Zealand will take on Pacific rivals, Samoa.
Australian U20’s Head Coach Adrian Thompson was satisfied with his sides’ victory.
“It was a good first half, it got scrappy in the second half, but I’m happy with the effort in the first half.
“Our forwards did well, I think Samoa have put in a lot of resources into their program this year and they were a lot better than they were at this stage last year.
“I think they will be a big challenge when we play them at the first game at the World Championships.”
New Zealand U20’s Head Coach Scott Robertson was full of praise of his side.
“We were very happy that the sun’s out, we wouldn’t have played like that yesterday with the conditions.
“It was a great start for us and there was a patch in the middle where they tested us which was great.
“Samoa will be a great contrast, a strong, tough side and it will be what we expect at the World Cup.”
Australia 33-10 Samoa
Scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Fakosilea, Yassmin 2, Wilkin
Cons: Deegan
Pen: Deegan 3
Samoa:
Tries: Winterstein, Tuimalealiifano
New Zealand 75-0 Japan
Scorers:
For New Zealand
Tries: Laulala, Wainui, Tavae-aso, Faiane, Wainui, Karpik, Dunshea, Blake Gibson, Anton Lienert-Brown
Cons: Black 7
For Japan
None
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