Latest news with #TRCU20
West Australian
11-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Australia U20s win but miss out on Rugby Championship
Australia's under 20s have fallen agonisingly just shy of winning their first ever Rugby Championship title despite finishing the junior tournament on a high with their thrilling 40-36 win over Argentina in South Africa. Despite the junior Wallabies having been undefeated through the tournament with two wins and a draw, New Zealand lifted the title, relegating them to second place, after the Kiwis beat hosts South Africa in the final game at the same Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha later on Sunday. The Australians had earlier prevailed against Los Pumitas with six tries in total despite a fluctuating second half when the lead changed four times. "Super proud of the boys," captain Eamon Doyle said afterwards. "Coming in after last year finishing bottom of the table, with a draw and two wins, couldn't be happier or prouder." Chris Whitaker's side scored after only three minutes as halfback James Martens reached out to score on the back of a rolling maul, and they increased the lead to 12-0 when winger Xavier Rubens went over in the left corner. Argentine winger Aquiles Vieyra crashed over for their first score but after home flanker Pampa Storey got a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, No.8 Toby Brial scored to push the Australian lead out to 19-5. Australia then conceded a penalty try and a yellow card to flyhalf Joe Dillon while attempting to stop a rolling maul and the Argentines were soon level as back-rower Agustin Garcia Campos dived over. Soon after halftime, winger Shane Wilcox's try was answered by Vieyra's second but hooker Lipina Ata's pick-and-go put them back in front with 15 minutes left to play. Victory was effectively sealed six minutes from time when the Aussies' sustained attack was eventually rewarded by a penalty try when their rolling maul was pulled down illegally. Argentina grabbed a consolation try after the siren before the young Australians had to sit and watch in frustration as New Zealand overcame South Africa 48-45 to successfully defend their TRC U20 title. But the Australians have laid down their marker before the Under 20 world championship in Italy in June and July.
Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Australia U20s win but miss out on Rugby Championship
Australia's under 20s have fallen agonisingly just shy of winning their first ever Rugby Championship title despite finishing the junior tournament on a high with their thrilling 40-36 win over Argentina in South Africa. Despite the junior Wallabies having been undefeated through the tournament with two wins and a draw, New Zealand lifted the title, relegating them to second place, after the Kiwis beat hosts South Africa in the final game at the same Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha later on Sunday. The Australians had earlier prevailed against Los Pumitas with six tries in total despite a fluctuating second half when the lead changed four times. "Super proud of the boys," captain Eamon Doyle said afterwards. "Coming in after last year finishing bottom of the table, with a draw and two wins, couldn't be happier or prouder." Chris Whitaker's side scored after only three minutes as halfback James Martens reached out to score on the back of a rolling maul, and they increased the lead to 12-0 when winger Xavier Rubens went over in the left corner. Argentine winger Aquiles Vieyra crashed over for their first score but after home flanker Pampa Storey got a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, No.8 Toby Brial scored to push the Australian lead out to 19-5. Australia then conceded a penalty try and a yellow card to flyhalf Joe Dillon while attempting to stop a rolling maul and the Argentines were soon level as back-rower Agustin Garcia Campos dived over. Soon after halftime, winger Shane Wilcox's try was answered by Vieyra's second but hooker Lipina Ata's pick-and-go put them back in front with 15 minutes left to play. Victory was effectively sealed six minutes from time when the Aussies' sustained attack was eventually rewarded by a penalty try when their rolling maul was pulled down illegally. Argentina grabbed a consolation try after the siren before the young Australians had to sit and watch in frustration as New Zealand overcame South Africa 48-45 to successfully defend their TRC U20 title. But the Australians have laid down their marker before the Under 20 world championship in Italy in June and July.
TimesLIVE
11-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Junior All Blacks retain rugby champs title with thrilling win over Boks
The All Blacks staged a stunning fightback to edge the Junior Boks 48-45 and successfully defend their Under-20 Rugby Championship title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday. After trailing 19-0 after 13 minutes, the Baby Blacks had to dig deep before they were able to subdue SA and send out a warning that they will be the team to beat at the Junior World Cup, which kicks off in Italy on June 29. The New Zealanders hung onto their slender lead with grim determination when they ended the game with 13 men after Caleb Woodley was red-carded and Randall Baker was shown yellow. The Boks threw everything they had at the All Blacks in the final moments, but they were unable to crack open New Zealand's brick wall defence. #JuniorBoks skipper Riley Norton reacts to their 45-48 loss to the Baby Blacks in their last #TRCU20 match of the tournament 🗣️ — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 11, 2025 SA's hopes of lifting the title were dashed even before they started their game against New Zealand. Hopes of glory on home soil for the Junior Boks ended when Australia beat Argentina 40-36 in the early game of a double header. That result meant that even if the Boks had beaten New Zealand with a bonus point and drawn level with Australia on the log, the Junior Wallabies were still ahead on the table because they beat the Boks in a second-round fixture. Despite being out of the running before a ball had been kicked, the Boks drew on their resilience to produce a courageous performance. It had been billed as brutal warfare in the trenches, and the battle lived up to prematch hype in front of 15,000 fans. There were scenes of uncontained joy at the end when New Zealand coach Milton Haig joined his players on the field to lift the trophy in front of an appreciative crowd who were treated to an absorbing double header. SA made a perfect start when powerful centre Albie Bester crashed over the New Zealand try line in the second minute after a period of sustained pressure from the men in green and gold. The action was fast and furious in the opening minutes, and the Junior Boks had a second try when powerful prop Simphiwe Ngobese bulldozed his way over the New Zealand try line. New Zealand were reeling after 13 minutes when Bok hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele touched down after a driving maul to which SA put SA into a commanding 15-0 lead. The Baby Blacks hit back after SA's electrifying start when elusive wing Harlyn Saunoa somehow managed to squeeze over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 19-5. In a sudden momentum shift, the All Blacks were back in the fight when the dangerous Saunoa went over for his second try, which left the Boks with a 19-12 advantage. The try feast continued in the 29th minute when hard-running wing Gino Cupido crossed the Boks' fourth try. New Zealand hit back with tries from skipper Manumaua Letiu and a third five-pointer from Saunoa to leave the Boks with a slender 26-24 halftime lead. The All Blacks took the lead for the first time in the game when express pace wing Maloni Kunawave won a foot race to touch down and to put his side ahead 29-26 after 42 minutes. Clever play by Bok No 8 Wandile Mlaba resulted in SA's fifth try as the game continued at a frenetic pace. Kunawave put the All Blacks into a 48-38 lead after 19 minutes left when he scored an acrobatic try in the corner.
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Pead, Cupido back as Junior Springboks make key changes for U20 clash with New Zealand
Gino Cupido Gino Cupido scored the final try for the Junior Springboks against Argentina. Photo: WORLD RUGBY Image: WORLD RUGBY Only five members of the Junior Springbok squad that lost against Australia in the Under-20 Rugby Championship have been retained for Sunday's massive clash against New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (4.10pm kickoff). Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote continued the trend of making wholesale changes to his side in the tournament as the hosts push for a strong finish. The South Africans had started off with a come-from-behind win over Argentina, before falling short against the resurgent Junior Wallabies on Tuesday afternoon. Foote has included five players from the side that faced Australia for their clash against New Zealand. In the pack, loosehead prop Simphiwe Ngobese, lock and captain Riley Norton and No 8 Wandile Mlaba are retained from the side that fell just short against Australia. Vusi Moyo, who gave a strong performance against the Aussies, retains the flyhalf berth, while exciting attacker Cheswill Jooste will run out at right wing as the only backs starting again. Norton, Mlaba and Jooste will start their third successive games in the competition. The Junior Boks had a robust review of their match against Australia, and have worked hard on those aspects of their game they have identified for improvement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They had trouble in the set-piece in the first half against Argentina, but were largely improved in that facet of play against the Wallabies. The breakdown was a source of frustration for Foote, however. The #JuniorBoks are determined to finish the #TRCU20 on a positive note against New Zealand in Gqeberha tomorrow - more here: more here: 🇿🇦#JourneyToGreatness — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 10, 2025 With the number of changes made, the Junior Springbok coach risks fixing one area of concern while opening up others. Players need time to build partnerships on the field, and the chopping and changing of players makes that difficult. The New Zealand U20 side have proven expert at exploiting any weakness in the opposition ranks, as they showed with their thrashing of Argentina in their last match. If the Junior Boks don't gel from the opening whistle, it could be a long afternoon for the home side. Foote feels that his players will be up for the challenge against South Africa's biggest rugby rivals in front of what promises to be a big crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 'Obviously we were bitterly disappointed with not winning the Australian game, but there were some great learnings for us in preparation for the World Championship,' said Foote. 'I thought that our set-piece took a big step forward, and we controlled a lot of the game for a period, but there are aspects for us to work on, in particular our breakdown. 'We got turned over too often while some of the kicking patterns were out of character, which we look to fix and get some clarity around that.' From an attacking perspective, the return of scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who scored two tries against Los Pumitas, and fellow scorer Gino Cupido on the left wing, will be welcome. Cupido enjoyed a fine cameo off the bench, sparking the attack into life later on against the Australian side. Pead will be itching to show his pedigree once again, having been left out of the squad altogether. 'We're bringing some players back from the first game, while retaining some guys who played in the second game. That will bring some freshness to the match-23, and there is real excitement in the squad for our match on Sunday,' Foote explained.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Junior Springboks fall to Australia Under-20s in thrilling Rugby Championship clash
The Junior Springboks matchday 23 that will face Australia in Gqeberha on Tuesday. Photo: SA Junior Rugby on X Image: Photo: SA Junior Rugby on X The Junior Springboks were unable to cope with a second-half onslaught from the Australia Under-20 side as they went down 29-24 in their second match of the Rugby Championship Under-20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday afternoon. The SA U20s managed to fight back and grab a 36-25 win in the opening round on Thursday. This time, they led at the break before surrendering the lead in the second half to a Junior Wallabies team that drew with New Zealand U20s in their opener. A composed and clinical first half from the #JuniorBoks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. #TRCU20 #JourneyToGreatness — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 6, 2025 The Junior Springboks stole the first line-out ball and were playing with early intensity, with powerful runner Batho Hlekani prominent. They earned a penalty a few phases later and found touch close to the Aussie tryline. The line-out was perfectly executed and the SA U20s rumbled over the line and loose forward Xola Nyali dotted down. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo added the extra two points (7-0). The Australians slowly started to gain a foothold in the match and were patient as they built some phases. But the Junior Boks maintained their defensive composure and the pressure led to some errors from the visitors. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading A big positive for the Baby Boks was their strong work in the scrums and line-outs. The Junior Wallabies were warned about repeated infringements at the breakdown as the penalty count mounted in South Africa's favour. The Australians were still struggling to cope with the power of the South African pack in the scrums. Errors, however, started to creep into South Africa's play, and the Junior Wallabies began to win the territorial battle. But they were also let down by errors at crucial times. South Africa then got a lucky break when Ndlozi pounced on a loose pass in midfield to sprint clear and score the second try of the match, against the run of play. Moyo landed the conversion to extend the Baby Boks' lead to 14-0. South Africa's defence was perfectly organised as they snuffed out any danger posed by their rivals. Trevor King of Australia was shown yellow for a scrum infringement in the Baby Boks' 22. Nyali thought he had scored his second try after another rolling maul off the line-out but it was ruled out by the the TMO. The score remained 14-0 at the break. SA pounced on another Australian mistake despite a promising start to the second half. SA drove the ball up into the Australian half and were awarded a penalty, which Moyo landed (17-0). The Junior Wallabies finally got on the scoreboard off a maul of their own from the line-out six minutes into the second half, skipper Eoman Doyle going over the whitewash. Sid Harvey kicked the conversion (14-7). SA were strangely subdued in the second half. The Australians made the most of a line-out feed before sucking in the SA defence, allowing Edwin Langi in to score. Harvey kicked the conversion. The Junior Wallabies had their tails up and their forwards again punched holes in the SA defensive lines, with Lipina Ata scoring the try. Harvey was on target with the boot as Australia took a 21-17 lead. The Junior Boks had work to do. Round 2 of #TRCU20 saw New Zealand pile on the points and Australia claim a hard-earned win at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. #JourneyToGreatness — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 6, 2025
