Spirited rucks, mauls key for the under-21s

SYDNEY - Defending champions New Zealand will be looking for more commitment at ruck and maul when they play Australia in the final of the Southern Hemisphere under-21 tournament in Sydney tomorrow.

The New Zealanders downed Ireland 44-18 at the Sydney Showgrounds in their third and final pool match, to remain unbeaten.

But while the scoreline, and the margin of six tries to nil, indicated a comfortable win, it did not reflect the passion of the Irish, who played a man short for most of the second half.

"I believe we thought the win was just going to happen," coach Colin Cooper said.

"We didn't respect the Irish as much as we should have and we didn't commit.

"We need to commit ourselves more in the rucks and mauls, and that's something we will have to work on."

Cooper said he also was hoping players would reduce the handling errors that hindered their attacking play.

"We dropped ball we shouldn't have and missed opportunities we should have taken."

New Zealand dominated most of the match territorially against an Irish side who never really threatened to score a try, but also never gave up, even after hooker Gavin Hickie was sent off for punching.

"The Irish played well and made us work for our tries," Cooper said.

"They showed a lot of heart, which we knew they would do."

Two of New Zealand's tries - to flanker Richard McCaw and prop Campbell Johnstone - came in the first half.

But with opposition five-eighth Jeremy Stanton landing four penalties from four attempts, the Irish were still in touch at halftime at 16-12.

Two tries to replacement forward Sam Harding, one to lock Bradley Mika and a late effort by replacement winger Alisi Tupuailei pulled New Zealand away on the scoreboard.

New Zealand second five-eighths Tane Tu'ipulotu shone by providing the strong midfield running which was directly responsible for Harding's first try.

Australia finished their pool play with a 44-10 victory over Samoa.

Cooper did not have a chance to see and assess the Australians' play during the past week.

But he plans to study videos of their matches over the next two days.

- NZPA