U20s Championship – Rugby, Only Rugby !

France U20s celebrate as they were crowned World Champions for the second consecutive year

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.

The All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty celebrated his 150th cap for the Crusaders with a try against the Melbourne Rebels during 2019 Super Rugby

There was plenty of rugby on all the fields of the world during all the week. In the Northern Hemisphere, the only league still going on was the Top14. The semi-finals were going to take place with the remaining clubs targeting the qualification for the Final.

However, there was plenty of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere as well. First of all, the Super Rugby competition was there with only two Rounds left in the regular season. The play-offs race was still on and the upcoming fixtures would be defining.

Moreover, in Argentina, it was the beginning of the World Rugby U20 Championship. This competition was important as well because it was an opportunity for the future stars to shine. The best players of the world in this game always started in that way.

* Argentina vs. Wales : U20 Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)

The Wales team opened the scoreboard with a penalty from Cai Evans. Argentina replied with prop Francisco Mervino carrying over the line and Geronimo Prisciantelli kicking a penalty. Though, Wales got the lead back with Jac Morgan scoring the very good try.

Cai Evans also kicked a penalty while Geronimo Prisciantelli missed his attempt. In the second-half, the Pumas got the try with Rodrigo Isgro Alastra. Nevertheless, Wales remained in the contest with two penalties from Cai Evans. The Pumas lacked discipline.

Ramiro Tallone Naddaf was binned as Cai Evans kicked a penalty. Ignacio Mendy scored but Ryan Conbeer got a stunning try for Wales. Cai Evans landed a kick while Joaquin de la Vega Mendia had a penalty. Wales defended very well to get the win (FT : 25-30).

* New Zealand vs. Georgia : U20 Championship (Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, Argentina)

Georgia started well with Tedo Abzhandadze kicking a penalty. The All Blacks had Etene Nanai-Seturo yellow-carded for a high tackle. Though, New Zealand played with offloads and Taine Plumtree concluded the nice move and Kohan Herbert scored on the corner.

Tedo Abzhandadze kicked a second penalty but Dallas McLeod got another try for New Zealand. In the second-half, Georgia got their try with Vakhtang Jincharadze but New Zealand replied with Leicester Fainga’anuku finishing a good counter-attacking move.

The All Blacks still played expansively and centre Quinn Tupaea showed his strength to touch down as well. Forward George Dyer was also on the scoreobard while Jeriah Mua sealed the win with one last try. It was a convincing win for New Zealand (FT : 45-13).

* France vs. Fiji : U20 Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)

The France players scored the first with the opening try from fullback Donovan Taofifenua. Fiji closed the gap with a penalty from Caleb Muntz. France kicked a penalty with Mathieu Smaïli and got a second try with a strong carry from Jordan Joseph.

Fiji were not out of the contest with Taniela Ramasibana scoring before the Half-Time. In the second-half, France were under pressure as Ethan Dumortier was yellow-carded after a dangerous tackle. They still turned defence into attack as Leo Coly touched down.

He was followed by Jordan Joseph who got a brace. Fiji scored a good counter-attacking try with Joseva Nasaroa. However, France kept the composure and Jordan Joseph got his Hat-Trick after some pressure on the Fiji line. France won the great fixture (FT : 36-20).

* Crusaders vs. Rebels : Super Rugby (AAMI Park, Christchurch, New Zealand)

The Crusaders built a few phases and Sevu Reece gathered a cross-field kick from Richie Mo’unga for the opening try. David Havili scored a stunning counter-attacking try while Braydon Ennor touched down on the left corner before getting a good brace, later on.

It was another good cross-field kick from Richie Mo’unga. In the second-half, Bryn Hall got the try after a good move while Sevu Reece got a brace, too, after a sensational effort out wide. From a set-piece play, centre Braydon Ennor got a Hat-Trick on the left wing.

Richie Mo’unga made the chip-kick for David Havili who got a brace. Ryan Crotty got the offload for Sevu Reece for his Hat-Trick. Braydon Ennor missed his quadruple but Ryan Crotty sealed the win with the try on his 150th cap as he also converted it (FT : 66-00).

* Lions vs. Hurricanes : Super Rugby (Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa)

The Hurricanes started well with an opening try scored by Ngani Laumape. The Lions replied with an expansive score from Aphiwe Dyantyi. The first-half was contested with Shaun Reynolds and Jordie Barrett kicking a penalty for their respective franchise.

In the second-half, on the re-start, Ben Lam gathered the ball and the Hurricanes scored. Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty while Ben Lam got his brace after a stunning attacking move. The Lions came back with Aphiwe Dyantyi also finding the try line for his brace.

The Hurricanes kept playing and Dane Coles touched down on the wing. Ngani Laumape was denied a brace for a double movement. The Hurricanes sealed the win and the home quarter-final play-offs with the brace from Dane Cole in a great display (FT : 17-37).

* South Africa vs. Georgia : U20 Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)

The Springboks got the first try with forward Dylan Richardson carrying over the line. Tedo Abzhandadze missed a penalty but Georgia had a try with Otar Lashkhi. Vaughen Isaacs was binned for a high tackle but Aenathi Ntlabakanye was strong enough to score.

Fez Mbatha followed him later for the Springboks. In the second-half, Tedo Abzhandadze kicked a penalty while Rikus Pretorius scored for South Africa after a good move. They had a second player yellow-carded with Emile van Heerden. Otar Lashkhi got a brace.

South Africa kept playing. Thaakir Abrahams touched down and Dylan Richardson got a brace. David Coetzer concluded a move while Angelo Davids got the stunning try. Teimuraz Tshitshinadze scored late for Georgia as South Africa got the win (FT : 48-20).

* Australia vs. Ireland : U20 Championship (Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, Argentina)

The Wallabies got the first penalty thanks to Will Harrison but had Semisi Tupou sent to the bin for a high tackle. Though, Ireland had Ryan Baird sent off for a more dangerous tackle. Sione Tui had space out wide to score for Australia but Ireland replied quickly.

Craig Casey was on the board as Will Harrison missed a penalty goal. In the second-half, Jake Flannery got a penalty for Ireland and Stewart Moore scored. Australia kept their cool and Isaac Lucas scored from a counter-attack and so did Mark Nawaqanitawase.

From the re-start, second-rower Nick Frost got a 60-metre individual try. Playmaker Will Harrison also touched down for a superb score while Nick Frost got a brace later in the second-half. The Wallabies showed a strong display to get the great win (FT : 45-17).

* Stormers vs. Sunwolves : Super Rugby (Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa)

The Stormers made a few handling mistakes in the first-half as the Sunwolves kicked a penalty with Hayden Parker. The Stormers got their try from a strong maul with Bongi Mbonambi. Craig Barry also got the try with a counter-attacking try from his own half.

The Sunwolves closed the gap with a second penalty from Hayden Parker. In the second-half, back-row Jaco Coetzee sold the dummy and got a good try. The Sunwolves hit back with a try from Semisi Masirewa. The Stormers kicked a penalty with Joshua Stander.

Relying on their set-piece play, the Stormers touched down on a big maul with Jaco Coetzee getting a brace. Semisi Masirewa also got a brace for the Sunwolves. However, the Stormers still managed to get a comfortable home win in Cape Town (FT : 31-18).

* France vs. Wales : U20 Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)

The Wales players began well with Tomi Lewis scoring the try. France came back quickly with the penalty from playmaker Louis Carbonel. He later concluded the build-up for a great try. Wales closed the gap with the penalty from Cai Evans just before the Half-Time.

In the second-half, France were playing well in attack. Vincent Pinto concluded the build-up after a few phases for the try. Fullback Donovan Taofifenua was also on the scoreboard. However, Wales were not out of the game with a brace from Tomi Lewis.

France threw the offloads to get more tries. They set up a maul and centre Julien Delbouis managed to touch down for the bonus point try. It was a great try from France who kept the momentum and proposed a very interesting performance (FT : 32-13).

* New Zealand vs. Scotland : U20 Championship (Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, Argentina)

The New Zealand team started well with Kaliopasi Uluilakepa scoring the try. He was followed by Sean Gregory while Lalomilo Lalomilo was also on the scoreboard. Centre Quinn Tupaea touched down as well but Scotland hit back with Robbie McCullum.

Olly Smith got another one for Scotland and scored a brace in the second-half. Though, New Zealand kept playing with Lalomilo Lalomilo also clinching a brace. Tamaiti Williams scored from close range and Oliver Norris was also on the scoreboard.

Scotland were not out of it with Ewan Ashman finding the whitewash and Jack Blain collecting a cross-field kick for the try. The All Blacks made the turnover and second-rower Taine Plumtree carried over the line for the try. New Zealand won (FT : 52-33).

* Toulouse vs. La Rochelle : Top14 Semi-Final (Matmut Atlantic, Bordeaux, France)

For this Top14 Semi-Final, Stade Toulousain went through the phases early and Sofiane Guitoune touched down. Fullback Thomas Ramos missed a penalty. Stade Rochelais were awarded a penalty and Ihaia West kicked one while Thomas Ramos missed a second.

Stade Toulousain went for the try before Half-Time but it did not work. In the second-half, Toulouse showed some composure and Sébastien Bézy found the try line. Later on, winger Cheslin Kolbe beat three defenders to score a stunning try on the left wing.

Stade Toulousain still applied the pressure and they got more penalties. Sébastien Bézy kicked a penalty while Thomas Ramos, back on the field, missed another one. Stade Toulousain controlled the game well and qualified for the Top14 Final (FT : 20-06).

* Clermont vs. Lyon : Top14 Semi-Final (Matmut Atlantic, Bordeaux, France)

In the second Top14 semi-final, Lyon scored the first try with flanker Liam Gill. Clermont kicked a penalty thanks to Greg Laidlaw. Lyon also landed a kick with Jonathan Wisniewski. Greg Laidlaw scored his second penalty with Clermont building the phases.

Playing expansively, Clermont scored a stunning try with winger Damian Penaud. In the second-half, prop Clément Ric was yellow-carded for Lyon because of too many scrum infringements. Clermont kept the intensity and winger Alivereti Raka touched down.

Clermont also lacked discipline as Camille Lopez was binned for foul play. Lyon got a try from a maul with Deon Fourie. However, Greg Laidlaw kicked another penalty and Clermont sealed the win with a counter-attacking try from George Moala (FT : 33-13).

Conclusion

This weekend has been great. In Super Rugby, the fixtures have been entertaining. The Crusaders finished the top of the table with a convincing home win. The Hurricanes also secured a home quarter-final play-offs while the Stormers got the win to keep battling.

About the Junior World Championship, after the first two Rounds, a few statements were made. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and France are the only nations remaining unbeaten. The other nations just remain in contention to finish as higher as possible.

Finally, in the Top14, Stade Toulousain and Clermont qualified for the Top14 Final. Next weekend, it will be the last Round of the regular season in Super Rugby. The Top14 Final will be played while the Junior World Championship will carry on. It should be great.

Max.