Semi-final heartache for New Zealand as French finally find their flair

Adrien Drault’s 76th-minute try was enough for France to secure a 26-22 win over New Zealand to book a place in this weekend’s World Rugby Junior World Championship Final.

France, who have won three of the last five tournaments in 2018, 2019 and 2023, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when they cut New Zealand apart and Drault scored his last-gasp try.

New Zealand made a fantastic start, opening the scoring after seven minutes when Ethan Webber finished a driving lineout move off the training ground, and Cohen Norrie added the conversion.

But the French forwards are highly dangerous, and it was no surprise that it was prop Matheo Frisach from rolling the maul -who scored a 20th minute try, which Luka Keletaona converted to draw them level.

Within a minute, Kiwi lock Max Fale was sin-binned for a high tackle on Lucas Andjisseramatchi, but with a man down, they regained the lead after 26 minutes when Josh Finley controlled the ball and moved it to Henry Stuart. 7-12

But the French forwards, a match for the best in the competition, put their side back in front after 33 minutes when a powerful lineout drive sent hooker Gabin Garault over for the fifth time this tournament, and Keletaona converted.

The game was on a knife-edge, and the Kiwis weathered the French storm for 18 minutes after the break, then hit back when Micah Fale was heavily involved before Finn McLeod finished from close range and Norrie converted.

Caleb Woodley became the second New Zealand to be yellow carded, and before he sat down, the French pack plundered a third try with Elia Masi scoring to level the scores at 19-19

New Zealand, who beat England 64-17 in 2017, the last time the tournament was played in Georgia, thought they had one foot in the final after 66 minutes when Micah Fale thought he had scored a try before the TMO spotted a knock-on by Haki Wiseman

Six minutes later, Norrie blasted a long-range penalty over, and it looked to be a match-winner, but Drault broke their hearts, leaving no time to get back into the game.

Meanwhile, Mattia Andretti scored 13 points as Italy scored six tries, overcoming two yellow cards, to comfortably beat the hosts, Georgia, 43-19, in the ninth-place semi-final.