New Zealand Colts beat Australia to win world title

7.25am

LONDON - New Zealand scored a hard fought 21-10 win over Australia to win the World Under-21 rugby championship this morning.

In a tough and often uncompromising final, the New Zealanders showed great discipline and control to take the title in front of 3500 people at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, scoring two tries to one.

The teams had drawn 37-37 in a group match last week after the Australians had pulled back from a 24-0 deficit.

This time, New Zealand were not going to allow that to happen again, captain Sam Tuitupou said.

This time, New Zealand kept Australia under their thumbs after taking a handy 11-0 lead by halftime.

Both sides defended tenaciously and there was very little space to create scoring chances, but New Zealand took the chances when they were on offer.

They dominated territory and possession with the Australians defending for all their worth.

In the first half, the junior Wallabies spent long periods having to make tackle after tackle and were guilty of killing the ball and slowing down New Zealand possession at every opportunity.

The ploy was effective but it wore the patience of English referee Rob Debney who sinbinned halfback Josh Valentine in the 24th minute and first five eighth Lachlan Mackay in the 38th.

New Zealand first five Stephen Donald converted both penalties on offer from these indiscretions, taking over the kicking duties after fullback Ben Atiga had missed two chances.

Earlier, lock Ross Kennedy scored the opening try of the final when he crashed over in the 13th minute after a good angled run at the end of a sustained passage of New Zealand pressure.

With an 11-0 lead at the interval, New Zealand were well set, but the job was not done.

After Wallaby fullback Mark Gerrard had pulled a penalty back in the 45th minute, Donald responded with a penalty in the 58th minute to open the gap again.

Australia threw everything into attack but could not find a way to break through and eventually were forced on to the back foot.

New Zealand mounted another offensive and Australia were found wanting when right wing Hayden Pedersen popped up on the left to slide in for a try and seal the win.

As the match entered injury time, Australia came again and from a kick up field wing Elia Tuqiri won the race to the ball to score Australia's lone try.

It was the second year running the young Wallabies had lost the final following their 24-21 loss to South Africa last year.

New Zealand coach Bryce Woodward praised his team's gradual improvement through the tournament.

"The side has improved with each match in the tournament and I'm really glad for the boys that the hard work has paid off.

"We came into the tournament low on match preparation, which is how we planned it.

"We thought we would build up through the tournament and we managed to do that although there were some scares along the way," added the coach, referring to his team's last gasp 26-23 win over France in a group game to secure a semifinal berth.



Scores:
New Zealand 21 (Ross Kennedy, Hayden Pedersen tries; Stephen Donald conversion, 3 penalties) Australia 10 (Elia Tuqiri try; Mark Gerrard - conversion, penalty).

Teams:


New Zealand: 15-Ben Atiga; 14-Hayden Pedersen, 13-Lifeimi Mafi, 12-Sam Tuitupou, capt, (Tusi Pisi-76), 11-Pehi Te Whare (Anthony Koonwaiyou-72); 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Jimmy Cowan; 8-Thomas Waldrom (Adam Thomson-67), 7-Thomas Harding, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Ross Kennedy, 4-Kane Thompson; 3-Tim Fairbrother, 2-John Pareanga, 1-John Afoa (Soane Tonga'uiha-68).

Australia: 15-Mark Gerrard; 14-Elia Tuqiri, 13-Chris Siale (Drew Mitchell-58), 12-Gene Fairbanks, 11-Peter Hynes (Cameron Shepherd-69); 10-Lachlan MacKay (capt), 9-Josh Valentine; 8-Jone Tawake, 7-Lei Tomiki (Mitchell Chapman 40), 6-Rocky Elsom (Luke Doherty-60), 5-William Caldwell, 4-Martin Wilson; 3-Guy Shepherdson, 2-Steve Moore (Nick Churven-77), 1-Peter Waring (Marco Cecere-75).

- NZPA