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France crush New Zealand and England smother Ireland in U20 rugby semis

rugby14 July 2024 20:33| © AFP
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Loose forward Mathis Castro-Ferreira scored three tries as title-holders France crushed New Zealand 55-31 in Cape Town on Sunday to reach the World Rugby Under-20 Championship final.

In the final on 19 July, France will face England who earlier beat Ireland 31-20.

France scored seven tries in a scintillating performance with forwards Joe Quere Karaba and Charly Gambini, fullback Mathis Ferte and replacement back Xan Mousques all touching down.

Captain and flyhalf Hugo Reus missed just one of 10 kicks at goal as he slotted seven conversions and two penalties.

New Zealand had edged France in the pool phase, but rarely looked like repeating that feat after the reigning champions raced to a 14-point lead after eight minutes.

France surged 27 points clear early in the second half before sustained New Zealand pressure narrowed the gap to 17 points with 21 minutes remaining.

But an interception set up Ferte to race clear and his try effectively sealed the fate of the record six-time under-20 champions New Zealand.

Dylan Pledger, King Maxwell, Aki Tuivailala and Andrew Smith all scored for New Zealand, who were also awarded a penalty try, but Rico Simpson managed only two conversions from four attempts.

"We have very good coaches and followed their instructions. We were highly motivated after losing narrowly to New Zealand earlier in the tournament," Reus told AFP.

New Zealand skipper and hooker Vernon Bason hailed France, saying "they are a very good team. We made it a little easier for them, though, through poor execution at crucial moments."

The transformation of France in the age-limit tournament has been remarkable as they are chasing a fourth straight title after failing to achieve a top-three finish in the first 10 editions.

Victory at home to England in the 2018 final was followed by triumphs over Australia in Argentina one year later and against Ireland in Cape Town last year.

The physical power of England, which was most obvious at scrum time, proved too much for Ireland who were pointless in the second half.

Sean Kerr missed three shots at goal for England, but contributed 21 points from a try, two conversions and four penalties. Craig Wright and Ollie Allan scored a try each.

Oliver Coffey and Bryn Ward crossed the line for Ireland and Jack Murphy converted both tries and kicked two penalties.

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