Aus and NZ youngsters meet in final
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Australia and New Zealand continue their winning ways as the Oceania Junior Championships culminates in them playing each other.
Australia and New Zealand will meet in what is effectively a final of the Oceania Junior Championship with the winner of that clash to be crowned champions of the tournament.
In the two matches played on Tuesday, May 5 both match favourites New Zealand and Australia were made to earn their victories with Samoa and Japan desperate to topple their respective opponents.
The Australian Under-20's claimed victory despite a scare by a strong Japanese side.
The lead changed eight times as both sides wrestled for supremacy, but ultimately Australia was able to hold out for the win, 47-31.
Australian head coach Adrian Thompson was disappointed with the performance.
"I am relieved we had the patience to eventually win the match," said Thompson.
"However there were many elements of our performance that were lacklustre that we must rectify.
"We’ll put that win behind us and get back into training.
"Full credit to Japan who really wanted the win."
The Junior All Blacks won their second match defeating Samoa 36-14.
New Zealand scored five tries to Samoa’s two in what was often a brutal clash between the two nations.
New Zealand U20’s head coach, Scott Robertson was relieved his side were able to overcome Samoa.
"Tough sums up. They forced us into errors, they were really aggressive and they got off the line. We couldn’t get any continuity or tempo," said Robertson.
"When you play a team like this you have do those micro things around the breakdown really well and the game can flow from there.
"It was great to have this sort of game before we get to the World Cup.
"We’re really excited [to play Australia]. We’ll get new players out for us and it gives our players the chance to play for places and to play for a trophy."
The final matches of the Oceania Junior Championship will occur on May 9 kicking off with Samoa against Japan, followed by Australia against New Zealand.
Australia 47-31 Japan
Scorers
For Australia:
Tries: Lealaiauloto- Tui 2, Redden, Nucifora, Newsome
Cons: Dalgleish 2, Deegan 3
Pens: Dalgleish 3, Deegan
For Japan:
Tries: Tatafu, Urabe 2, Makisi
Cons: Noguchi 4
Pen: Noguchi
New Zealand 36-14 Samoa
Scorers
For New Zealand:
Tries: Hunt 2, Goosen, Lienert-Brown, Smith, Cridge-Smith
Cons: Smith 2, Hunt
For Samoa:
Tries: Fetalaiga, Fepulea’i
Cons: Falaniko 2
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