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New Zealand U20 overpowered by France as Tuilagi's son dominates
In horizontal rain and a swirl of mud, France overpowered New Zealand 35-14 off the back of a double to Posolo Tuilagi, son of former Samoan international Henry, in the top-of-the-table Pool A clash at the World Under 20 championships in South Africa.
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New Zealand has won the tournament half a dozen times since its inception in 2008 but suffered its heaviest defeat in 62 matches against the most recent winners in 2019.
The French pack proved far too strong for a sloppy New Zealand who found some much-needed gallantry in the second half.
France led 21-0 at halftime, their rolling maul assertive, accurate, and effectively creating all three first-half tries. Left-wing Théo Attissogbe scored on the right side after New Zealand was vacuumed into a tight confine leaving an abundance of empty real estate.
Lock Posolo Tuilagi took a less subtle route over the whitewash and halfback Baptiste Jauneau darted over after more constructive forward play.
Jauneau peppered New Zealand with challenging box kicks and was combative with his bustling carries.
Tuilagi is derived from rugby royalty. Posolo is the son of Henry ‘The Butcher’ Tuilagi and the nephew of Freddie, Alesana, Vavae, and England international Manu who is named after an Island.
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Strangely New Zealand dominated the scrum and reduced the frustrated French to 13 in the second half. In the 57th minute, a penalty try opened the Kiwis’ account.
A short while later France, unfamiliar with being bullied, conceded again when openside Peter Lakai barged through two tacklers from close range.
It was a case of too little too late, however. France always looked capable of taking the game to another level. Brent Liufau had the last say.
With 11 tackles, 85m carried and two tries Tuilagi was named man of the match. The loose forward trio of Marko Gazzotti, Oscar Jegou, and Lenni Nouchi were potent.
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For New Zealand tighthead Siale Lauaki was resolute, lock Taylor Cahill spirited, and Lakai battled gamely. Reserve hooker Ray Tuputupu will push hard for a start in New Zealand’s final group match against Japan at 2 am on Wednesday.
France has won their last two matches against New Zealand at this level. In 2018 they won a semi-final 16-7.
France: 35 (Posolo Tuilagi 2, Théo Attissogbe, Baptiste Jauneau, Brent Liufau tries, Hugo Reus 5 con) New Zealand: 14 (Penalty try, Peter Lakai, Taha Kemara con) HT: 21-0
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments