NZ U20 outmuscle Samoa
Despite making 13 changes to the run on side that thumped Fiji 63-3 on Friday, the NZ Under 20s lacked no synergy as they scored seven tries in the first half to lead 47-6 at the break.
Meanwhile, Australia have defeated Fiji 32-24 in their Oceania U20s Championship match at Bond University
All the action of Round Two!
New Zealand 80-23 Samoa
Relishing the afternoon kick-off and dry track, the Craig Philpott-coached side punished any Samoan mistakes and were lethal on the counter attack to build an unassailable lead in the first spell.
Wing Caleb Clarke was particularly damaging in playing a key role in a number of tries and scoring one himself.
The second half was much more competitive as Samoa made a number of influential substitutes.
Managing to hold the ball for long periods of time, Samoa forced an error from New Zealand to cross for their first try. Replacement outside back Alex Pohia showed great skills to pounce on a loose New Zealand offload and score in the corner. Deadeye fullback Ricky Pauli landed the sideline conversion to go with three earlier penalties to close the gap to 52-16.
New Zealand answered back quickly through an electric try to wing Jona Nareki before Samoa showed they could match the New Zealand’s ball playing skills when Captain Losi Filipo scored.
But that was to be it for Samoa as New Zealand crossed for tries to replacements Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Dalton Papalii in the final five minutes to blow out the final score to 80-23.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Coxon, Price, Clarke, Umaga-Jensen, Slade, Ennor 2, Aumua, Nareki, Jacobsen, Lindenmuth, Papalii
Cons: Matoe 6
For Samoa:
Tries: Filipo, Pohia
Cons: Pauli 2
Pens: Pauli 3
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Jona Nareki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Thomas Umaga Jensen, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ciarahn Matoe, 9 Carlos Price,, 8 Marino Mikaele-Tuu, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Luke Jacobson (captain), 5 Sam Caird, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Ryan Coxon, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tim Farrell
Replacements: 16 JP Sauni, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Sam Slade, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Kemara Hauiti Parapara, 22 rbyn Leger, 23 Tiaan Falcon
Samoa from: Ricky Ene, Alexander Pohla-Murray, Oikumene Paisami, Aneriueta Piopa, Fred Filipo, Simon-Peter Toleafoua, Godinet Tinei, Francis Ah Him, Caleb Faalili, Benjamin Sa'u, Peato Toeafe, Theordore Salipo, Noel Sonit, Petelo Ikenasio, Ivan Fepuleai, Frank Tupuola, Jerry Samania, Suetena Asomua, Leonard Solomona, Wyatt Uaita-Setu, Pupi Ah See, Ethan Lolesio, Telea Taniolu.
Referee: Tevita Rokovereni
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Cam Foley
Australia 32-24 Fiji
The young Aussies only scored four tries to three and were never able to exert any sort of authority over the Fijians who would have been a hell of a lot closer had they kicked their penalty goals throughout the match.
The Fijians actually led 3-0 early and closed things up to 15-10 with about 25 minutes left on the clock but the Aussies were able to negotiate the final minutes and get the victory.
Head coach Simon Cron would not have been happy with the way his team went about their work and much needs to be done before the Aussies take on the re-hot New Zealand side on Saturday in the final match of these championships.
The Aussie lineout was fragile early and they never really got in flow in attack with passes going behind the man constantly and defence not as solid as you would expect at this level.
For Australia:
Tries: Maafu 2, Hewat, Strang
Cons: Nucifora 3
Pen: Nucifora
For Fiji:
Tries: Ratu Vere Taukanoa Vugakoto, Apisalome Bogidrau, Salimoni Tukania
Cons: Viliame Botitu 2, Peceli Lagovo Dulaki Vukatavo
Pen: Vukatavo
Teams
Australia were also concerned about Fiji's strength and physicality but made only six changes to the team that started against Samooa.
Australia: 15 Semisi Tupou, 14 Clay Uyen, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Tony Hunt, 11 Jayden Ngamanu, 10 Nick Jooste, 9 Harry Nucifora, 8 Reece Hewat (captain), 7 Angus Allen, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Lachlan Swinton, 3 Harry Chapman, 2 Efi Maafu, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 David Puchert, 18 Vaauli Faaumusili, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Theo Strang, 23 Len Ikatau
Fiji from: Viliame Tuidraki, Poniani Bateniu, Viliame Suwawa, Filimoni Savou, Varamu Turagovola, Vilimoni Botitu, Peni Matawalu, Apisalome Bogidrau, Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, Samisoni Rabuka, Raikabula Momoedonu, Temo Mayanavanua, Luke Tagi, Vere Vugakota, Isaack Cavu, Semi Navutu, Immanuel Naciva, Apakuki Naivanawalu, Meli Derenalagi, Tevita Bolatolu, Peniasi Ratu, Fabiano Navabale, Salimoni Tukania.
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Brett Cronan, Andrew Twist
Source: allblacks.com & rugby.com.au
