This week was about the play-offs game in the Southern Hemisphere. With the Top14 Final taking place last weekend, Northern Hemisphere have finished the season. However, there was rugby played in the South.
First of all, there was the World Rugby U20s Championship going on in Argentina. With the pools’ fixtures now over, it was the play-offs for all the nations involved. Each nation had two play-offs games to finish well.
Meanwhile, still in the Southern Hemisphere, Super Rugby also had their own play-offs. The Quarter-Finals were going to be played with the defending Champions, the Crusaders, the huge favourites to win again.
*Argentina vs. Australia : U20s Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)
The Wallabies started well with a penalty from Ben Donaldson but Luke McDonald was binned for a high tackle. Argentina got a penalty with Joaquin De La Vega Mendia but Australia just threw the offloads.
Harry Wilson concluded a great build-up as Joaquin De La Vega Mendia got another kick. The Wallabies got a try with Luke McDonald but he was sent off after a second yellow-card as the Pumas got a penalty try.
Lachlan Lonergan touched down from a maul. Ben Donaldson scored a stunning counter-attacking try and kicked a penalty. Mark Nawaqanitawase missed a penalty but Australia qualified (FT : 13-34).
*South Africa vs. France : U20s Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)
The France players started with a huge intensity. Louis Carbonel kicked two penalties while Jordan Joseph scored from a maul. Louis Carbonel added a third penalty but South Africa replied with Fezokhule Mbatha.
In the second-half, France were doing the defending as the Springboks were throwing everything at the France team. Jaden Hendrikse missed a penalty as France made the turnovers and earned a few key penalties.
Louis Carbonel was on target with his next two penalty goals. He missed another kick, later on. Though, France remained strong and the defending Champions deservedly qualified for the big Final (FT : 07-20).
*Ireland vs. England : U20s Championship (Old Resian, Rosario, Argentina)
England did not start well with a bin to Ted Hill after high tackle. Ben Healy for Ireland and Josh Hodge for England traded a penalty. Ben Healy got another while England had their forward Kai Owen binned.
Though, Ben Healy missed a kick. Josh Hodge was on target and he even got a try from a set-piece play. In the second-half, Ben Healy and Josh Hodge kicked one more penalty before Sam Maunder scored for England.
Dylan Tierney-Martin was binned but Jonathan Wren and Brian Deeny got the tries. Rusiate Tuima was yellow-carded for England but Tom Willis carried over the line and England snatched it (FT : 23-30).
*Hurricanes vs. Bulls : Super Rugby (Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand)
The Hurricanes scored a penalty with Beauden Barrett. The Bulls found space in midfield and Warrick Gelant finished on the corner. The Hurricanes played the counter-attack and TJ Perenara touched down.
Ben Lam finished a build-up while Salesi Rayasi got a stunning try. The Bulls hit back with Cornal Hendricks. In second-half, Salesi Rayasi got his brace. The Bulls were denied a try as Salesi Rayasi was binned.
It was a penalty try to the Bulls. Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty but Cornal Hendricks got a brace after some footwork. Jordie Barrett kicked another penalty and the Hurricanes defended to win it (FT : 35-28).
*Argentina vs. South Africa : U20s Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)
The Springboks threw offloads and Sanele Nohamba scored. Joaquin De La Vega Mendia missed a kick before scoring. Sanele Nohamba got a penalty and Thaakir Abrahams touched down for a stunning score.
The Pumas got back with tries from Joaquin De La Vega Mendia and Mateo Carreras. Though, Joaquin De La Vega Mendia and Geronimo Prisciantelli missed penalties. Nicolas Roger Farias scored one.
Thaakir Abrahams got his brace. David Coetzer had the drop-goal as Nicolas Roger Farias missed a kick. JJ van der Mescht got an interception try. Rikkus Pretorius sealed the South Africa win with a try (FT : 16-41).
*Ireland vs. New Zealand : U20s Championship (Old Resian, Rosario, Argentina)
The All Blacks were on song with Etene Nanai-Seturo finishing on the corner. Forward Ollie Norris carried over the line while Etene Nanai-Seturo had a double. Leicester Fainga’anuku was also on the scoreboard.
Ireland replied with Josh Wycherley and Billy Proctor was yellow-carded for a high tackle. In the second-half, Ireland came back with Dylan Tierney-Martin from close range and Ryan Baird concluding a move.
Though, New Zealand remained composed. Tamaiti Williams carried over the line while Shilo Klein scored from a maul. Tamaiti Williams was binned for a high tackle but New Zealand retained the win (FT : 17-40).
*Australia vs. France : U20s Championship Final (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)
The Wallabies winger Michael Nawaqanitawase scored after one minute. France remained composed and Théo Lachaud concluded a stunning build-up. Louis Carbonel and Will Harrison both landed a kick.
Australia kept playing and Lachlan Lonergan scored. France hit back with Alex Burin from a maul. Louis Carbonel kicked a penalty. In second-half, Harry Wilson got the try but Will Harrison missed a kick.
Louis Carbonel and Will Harrison kicked one penalty. Louis Carbonel was on target with another kick while Michael McDonald was off target. France held their lines and were World Champions again (FT : 23-24).
*Italy vs. Georgia : U20s Championship (Old Resian, Rosario, Argentina)
The Italy players relied on their maul and Matteo Drudi got the try. Georgia lacked discipline and Irakli Simsive was yellow-carded for a high tackle. However, Tedo Abzhandadze nailed a kick for Georgia.
In the second-half, Georgia kept the ball and Demur Tapladze concluded the try while Mikheil Alania scored. Italy replied as Federico Mori scored. Jacopo Trulla collected a cross-field kick and he touched down.
Italy maintained the standards with a penalty from Paolo Garbisi. Launching an attacking play, Italy got another stunning try with Ange Capuozzo. Italy got a massive win in a good game (FT : 29-17).
Conclusion
This weekend was absolutely entertaining. First of all, in the U20s Championship in Argentina, England finished their Campaign very well. They got the win in their first play-offs game of the week.
Besides, France and Australia qualified for the Final as the defending Champions, France, kept their crown. The Springboks snatched the third place while New Zealand and Italy got very convincing wins.
Moreover, in Super Rugby, the Hurricanes qualified for the semi-finals. Next weekend, the Super Rugby semi-finals will take place. The Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup will not be far away.
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 