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Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Ireland under-20s to open World Rugby Championship campaign against Georgia
Ireland will play their opening fixture at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship against Georgia on Sunday, June 29th (5pm Irish time). The game will be the opener of a Pool C double-header at the Stadio San Michele in Calvisano, with New Zealand and Italy playing in the second game (7.30pm). In their second outing, Neil Doak's side will face against the Italians, on Friday, July 4th at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana. Ireland will return to Calvisano for their last pool game on Wednesday, July 9th, where they will face the Baby Blacks (5.30pm Irish time). READ MORE The three pool winners and the best runner-up will contest the main semi-finals. Each team will play five matches in total with the side that finishes 12th relegated to the World Trophy competition. Ireland won their pool in last season's tournament in Cape Town but lost their semi-final to the eventual champions England, and subsequently lost the third-place playoff game against New Zealand. Ireland have twice reached an Under-20 World Cup final – in 2016 when they lost to hosts England and in 2023 when they were beaten by France. The current Irish squad finished bottom of the Six Nations, managing just a single victory over Scotland. Doak will hopefully have a stronger hand up front if Alan Spicer, Alex Usanov, Niall Smyth, Emmet Calvey and Luke Murphy, who missed the championship through injury, are back and available to play. World Rugby also announced the 10 referees and five television match officials (TMOs) that will preside over the tournament, including Ireland's Peter Martin and Leo Colgan. The selected referees are Tomas Bertazza (Argentina), Ben Breakspear (Wales), Griffin Colby (South Africa), Katsuki Furuse (Japan), Peter Martin (Ireland), Marcus Playle (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France), Filippo Russo (Italy), Lex Weiner (USA) and Morgan White (Hong Kong China). The TMOs are Leo Colgan (Ireland), Graham Cooper (Australia), Aled Griffiths (Wales), Quinton Immelman (South Africa) and Dan Jones (RFU) with two of them – Colgan and Immelman – also selected for this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England. World Rugby Talent ID manager and tournament referee manager, Ireland's Johnny Lacey said: 'The selection of this panel highlights the referees that are coming through our pathway system. We have been working closely with our unions and regions to increase the number of match officials in our pathway into World Rugby competitions. 'We are already starting to see the benefits with our talent identification programme providing four referees for this tournament and we are excited to see what the future holds for the officials involved in our men's and women's pathways.' The World Championship final will take place in the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo on Saturday, July 19th (7.30pm Irish time).
1News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
'Baby Blacks' coach Haig quits on eve of under-20s world champs
Milton Haig has delivered a bombshell only weeks before the World Rugby Under-20 championship by resigning as New Zealand's head coach. Haig, who helped coach the "Baby Blacks" to their repeat Under-20 Rugby Championship victory in South Africa recently, cited differences of opinion in the coaching group and said he believed his decision was best for the team. 'I'm grateful to New Zealand Rugby for the opportunity to return home and work with a talented group of players and management," Haig said in a statement. "Winning in South Africa was a highlight for the team and myself. Helping the players succeed was my primary motivation for taking the role and I believe they have the skills and drive to be successful at the World Championships in Italy. 'However, I do not feel I'm fully aligned with the coaching group around things like playing style, so have made the difficult decision to step aside to give the team its best chance of reaching its full potential. I sincerely wish the players, coaches and management all the best for the remainder of the campaign and will be supporting them from afar.' ADVERTISEMENT Jarrad Hoeata, Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea are the team's other coaches. Haig, a former head coach of the Georgia national team who coached at Suntory in Japan recently, said he would spend more time with family and focus fully on his role as a World Rugby high-performance consultant. For New Zealand Rugby, Haig's decision may bring back memories of All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald's sudden resignation last year. MacDonald, who has never spoken publicly about his decision, claimed differences of opinion with head coach Scott Robertson. The big difference in the case of Haig, however, is that he was the head coach. NZ Rugby high performance development manager Matt Sexton said: 'Milton's a quality coach and person and has done a great job laying the foundations for the team over the past two months. "His record over time is evidence of his coaching ability and it was great to see the team perform so well in South Africa. We respect his decision to step away and admire his courage in putting the team before himself.' Sexton said one coach would be added to the group ahead of the World Championship which starts for New Zealand with a match against hosts Italy on June 29.
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: 13-man Baby Blacks retain U20 championship title
Taniela Maisiri dashes toward the try line during the NZU20 v Argentina, The Rugby Championship Under 20 match, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Photo: Halden Krog/ActionPress New Zealand has retained the men's under-20 Rugby Championship title with a 48-45 victory over hosts South Africa in Gqeberha. The result meant the Baby Blacks edged Australia for the title after they beat Argentina 40-36. New Zealand were behind 19-0 after 13 minutes after conceding two early tries to the young Springboks before fighting their way back into the game. The two sides swapped tries throughout the match with New Zealand taking the lead for the first time during the second half. However, it was a tense finish as the visitors were reduced to 13 players after Caleb Woodley was red-carded and Randall Baker was given a yellow card. Flanker Woodley was marched for a head clash with 11 minutes to play, while Baker was binned with three minutes to play for pulling down a maul which resulted in a penalty try. New Zealand managed to defend strongly and held on for a memorable win and retention of the title. Centre Harlyn Saunoa scored three tries and winger Maloni Kunawave two. New Zealand try scorers were: Harlyn Saunoa (3), Manumaua Letiu, Maloni Kunawave (2), Sika Pole and Stanley Solomon, while Will Cole kicked four conversions. Both New Zealand and Australia finished with two wins and a draw with New Zealand handed the title on points differential. The Junior World Cup kicks off in Italy on 29 June.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Baby Blacks pile 75 points on Argentina in U20 World Cup
Cooper Roberts runs in midfield for the Baby Blacks. New Zealand's Baby Blacks have pummelled Argentina at the Under-20 Rugby Championship, while Australia have scored an extraordinary win over hosts South Africa. The New Zealanders, who drew 29-all with Australia in their first match, left Argentina stranded at the bottom of the table with their 75-21 win at Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth. The result leaves the Baby Blacks at the head of the table, with seven points, one ahead of Australia and two ahead of South Africa, with one round of matches remaining. New Zealand ran up 47 points in the first half to Argentina's 14, with captain Mosese Bason and wing Maloni Kunawave both dotting down twice. Argentina improved to score the only try of the third quarter, before New Zealand romped home with four tries, including a double for midfielder David Lewai. Joshua Tengblad, Caleb Woodley, Eli Oudenryn, Tamiano Ahloo and Taniela Maisiri were the other try scorers, while Will Cole booted over eight conversions and Rico Simpson two. Australia pulled off an amazing second half comeback to beat the Junior Springboks 29-24. The young Australians were scoreless in the first half, lost two players to injury and conceded a yellow card before running up 29 straight points in the first half. South Africa, who led 14-0 at halftime, fought back late in the game and gave themselves a chance with a late try, but failed to score from their final possession. In the last matches early on Monday morning (NZT), New Zealand will play South Africa, while Australia take on Argentina.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Baby Blacks wallop Argentina at U20 Rugby Championship
New Zealand have beaten Argentina at the Under-20 Rugby Championship. Photo: PhotoSport New Zealand's Baby Blacks have pummelled Argentina at the Under-20 Rugby Championship, while Australia have scored an extraordinary win over hosts South Africa. The New Zealanders, who drew 29-all with Australia in their first match, left Argentina stranded at the bottom of the table with their 75-21 win at Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth. The result leaves the Baby Blacks at the head of the table, with seven points, one ahead of Australia and two ahead of South Africa, with one round of matches remaining. New Zealand ran up 47 points in the first half to Argentina's 14, with captain Mosese Bason and wing Maloni Kunawave both dotting down twice. Argentina improved to score the only try of the third quarter, before New Zealand romped home with four tries, including a double for midfielder David Lewai. Joshua Tengblad, Caleb Woodley, Eli Oudenryn, Tamiano Ahloo and Taniela Maisiri were the other try scorers, while Will Cole booted over eight conversions and Rico Simpson two. Australia pulled off an amazing second half comeback to beat the Junior Springboks 29-24. The young Australians were scoreless in the first half, lost two players to injury and conceded a yellow card before running up 29 straight points in the first half. South Africa, who led 14-0 at halftime, fought back late in the game and gave themselves a chance with a late try, but failed to score from their final possession. In the last matches early on Monday morning (NZT), New Zealand will play South Africa, while Australia take on Argentina. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
