NZ edge Italy in opening match at World Rugby under-20 Championship
New Zealand's under-20 captain Manumaua Letiu playing against Australia earlier this year.
Photo:
Photosport
New Zealand has hung on to win their opening match at the men's World Rugby under-20 Championship beating hosts Italy 14-5 in stifling heat in Calvisano, northern Italy.
In temperatures of 30 degrees plus, New Zealand scored first going up 7-nil inside the opening 10 minutes with a try to skipper and hooker Manumaua Letiu.
They extended the lead to 14-nil just before halftime when halfback Dylan Pledger scored, bursting clear from the base of a ruck just outside the 22 metre mark.
Italy however bounced back early in the second half with an unconverted try to narrow the gap to 14-5.
That was all the scoring for the remainder of the match as both sides made numerous errors and found the going tough in the heat.
New Zealand's next pool game is against Georgia on Saturday morning.
New Zealand last won the under-20 title in 2017.
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