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U20 World Champs
2024
Scores
Tables
Rnd 1
Rnd 2
Rnd 3
SFs
Finals
NZL vs FRA
U20 World Champs
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
New Zealand U20
vs
France U20
31
FT
55
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 31 - 55
That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for the final day of action from the U20 World Championship. New Zealand and Ireland will fight it out for third place ahead of the final between England and France from DHL Stadium in Cape Town on July 19. This is Anthony Morgan signing off.
The Baby Blacks did well to go 3-0 in pool play but when the stakes went up a few notches they had very little answer to a ruthless French side. Dylan Pledger provided some nice moments, which included a cracking individual try in the first half. Liam Jack and Andrew Smith were standouts in the pack.
New Zealand had a substantial edge in both territory and possession but France were ruthlessly efficient when given a sniff of points. Hugo Reus showed his class with precision distribution by both foot and hand and he landed nine of his 10 shots at goal in a brilliant performance. Mathis Castro-Ferreira matched Reus with a powerhouse three-try display at No.8. He was provided with strong support by Joe Quere Karaba, who got the ball rolling for France with a try in the fourth minute. Les Bleuets will go into the Final full of confidence up against an England side they ousted in last year's semi finals.
France ran in seven tries to five to beat New Zealand 31-55 in a high scoring semi final in Cape Town. Leading by 20 points at halftime, Les Bleuets kicked on in the second half to book their spot in the Final against England. Mathis Castro-Ferreira was a standout performer for the victors and his third try in the 45th minute quelled any thoughts of a Baby Blacks' comeback win. Despite losing Stanley Solomon - whose yellow card was upgraded to a red for a high tackle on Hugo Reus - New Zealand competed hard until the end and they crossed with back to back tries to King Maxwell and Aki Tuivailala to give themselves a small glimmer of hope with 20 minutes to go. An intercept by Joe Quere Karaba sent Mathis Ferte away for the sealer before Andrew Smith pushed New Zealand past 30 points. France cracked the half century when Reus provided a pinpoint cross-field kick for Xan Mousques to score with nine minutes to go.
80+1'
Ferte dishes it back to Desperes who boots it into touch to bring the contest to an end. France are through to their fourth consecutive U20 World Championship Final!
80'
Christie takes a carry before Simpson regathers a deflected chip by Pledger. An error on the ground gifts France a scrum feed just outside their 22m.
79'
Christie loses possession in the lineout as France shift it right to Reus who kicks deep downfield. Hutchinson makes a clean break down the left edge and unloads to Williams who grubbers ahead. France take possession and clear to touch 18m short of halfway.
78'
Reus puts in a threatening cross-field kick to the left from near his goal line. Mousques chases after it but is unable to prevent it from going into touch. New Zealand with the lineout 25m out.
77'
New Zealand work through seven phases as they take it inside 10m. France are penalised for not releasing as the Baby Blacks opt to tap quickly. An error in contact by Taele gifts Les Bleuets a scrum 7m out from their line.