South American underdogs claim victory in World Rugby U20 Challenger

Chile claimed the inaugural WR U20 Challenger title after beating Belgium 30-17 in a tense match that had everything. Portugal took a podium spot after beating Romania, while Canada finished fifth with a 61-24 win over Brazil. Namibia ended the campaign with a victory, placing themselves above Hong Kong China.

Namibia 53-5 Hong Kong China
In the opening match of finals day at the World Rugby U20 Challenger, Namibia enjoyed their best performance of the tournament to claim a 53-5 win over Hong Kong China.

The U20 Welwitschias headed into half-time with a commanding 17-0 advantage after tries from full-back Wesely Haukongo and winger Ethan Sinden, with William Beukes contributing a penalty and two successful conversions.

Namibia’s set-piece was successful in pushing the Asian opposition into a corner, and they couldn’t find a way out. Adding to this, William Beukes’ performance bordered on sensational, as the fly-half was involved in most of Namibia’s key plays in the opening half.

Unfortunately for Hong Kong China, the second half brought no significant improvement, as Namibia went on to score five more tries. Despite lock Fritz Mahn scoring his side’s first and only try of the afternoon two minutes after the restart, Namibia quickly riposted through skipper Jano Erasmus, who claimed the next two finishes to impose a 31-5 lead with a quarter to go.

Namibia further extended their lead with three more tries, courtesy of Soobramoney Sammy, Bertus Narib and Tjeripo Karuhumba. Beukes missed only one conversion all afternoon, adding another penalty and three conversions in the second half.

Canada 61-24 Brazil
In the fifth-place playoff final, Canada and Brazil delivered an entertaining show, with the North Americans running out 61-24 winners.

With fans still looking for their seats, Canada scored through Chris Rose; the scrum-half threw a brilliant dummy to elude the Brazilian defence before triumphantly grounding the ball.

The Maple Leaf extended their lead twice before the break, thanks to centre Liam Turnbull and winger Malin Hazl. However, Brazil found their rhythm just before half-time, getting their first try of the afternoon through Francisco da Ros, who asserted his physical presence from close range to reach the whitewash.

Believing victory was still possible, the Curumins threw everything into the contest and were rewarded with 10 more points during the first 15 minutes of the second half. Ros claimed a brace, while winger Cauã Tenório slotted a conversion and a penalty, leaving Brazil seven points away from levelling the contest.

However, the Brazilians’ momentum came to a screeching halt. With Canada fixing their set-piece, they added their fourth five-pointer through replacement hooker Porter Gook, who steered a driving maul into the Brazilian in-goal area.

Ronin Smith was next in line, with the utility back producing a stunning run, beating five would-be tacklers before grounding the ball and gifting his side an assailable lead with 18 minutes to go.

Canada dominated the final quarter, adding four more tries against Brazil. Blair Kinghorn bagged a brace, while Brek Ball and Noah Hudson each dotted down.

Although the result was no longer in doubt, Brazil kept fighting and earned a third try when da Ros crossed for the third time in the match.

Portugal 67-13 Romania
Portugal took home the bronze medal after beating European rivals Romania 67-13, finishing their campaign in style.

The U20 Stejarii struck first when Mihai-Antonio Mitrea slotted a penalty five minutes into the match. With third place at stake, Portugal piled on the pressure and were rewarded with the opening try after a slick attacking combination put them ahead.

Centre Tomé Lobo rushed in after Guilherme Marques threw a perfect offload to a teammate. Vasco Trindade landed his first of six successful conversions of the afternoon.

Hooker Thomas Ribeiro followed, scoring from a driving maul before Lobo grabbed his brace after gathering a loose ball, with Rodrigo Socorro and Diego Ferreira adding one try each to their side’s tally. Romania were outmatched in every department and only found breathing space in the final three minutes of the opening half, culminating in Mitrea grounding the ball from a five-metre carry.

Portugal began the second half down to 14 men, with Socorro sent to the sin bin for cynical play, but they still reached the whitewash for a seventh time, this time through flanker Luke Pereira.

Romania had their moment, managing to contend with Portuguese superiority and even adding a second finish, as Alexandru Boldor powered over from close range to give his side some hope going into the final 20 minutes.

However, a series of handling errors effectively rolled out the red carpet for Portugal, who went on to score four more tries before the final whistle. Socorro and Vasco Queiroz each crossed twice, and Salvador Guimarães claimed his first try of the match, sealing a 67-13 win, their biggest U20 victory over their long-time rivals.

Chile 30-17 Belgium
Chile have risen to the top of the World Rugby U20 Challenger, with the hosts overcoming Belgium 30-17 in an action-packed match.

Belgium opened the scoring less than a minute in, thanks to a successful charge-down by Oscar Shortall, in a sensational start to the final. Full-back Charles Depasse slotted the conversion, but their seven-point lead ended four minutes later.

From a 22-metre lineout, the U20 Cóndores started to gain momentum and finally found a way through Santiago Wood, with the scrum-half evading a couple of tacklers before skidding over the line. Jaime Soler drew level with a well-taken conversion.

The Chilean centre added three more points to give his team the lead for the first time, which he extended in the 17th minute after a sensational solo carry from hooker Rafael Silva.

Belgium narrowed the gap with 13 minutes to go but conceded a third finish when they were down to 14 players after Shortall was sent to the sin bin, with Silva crossing again.

Marco Alvano’s fortunes changed dramatically in the five minutes before half-time. After scoring his team’s fourth try, the Chilean full-back received a 20-minute red card following a tip tackle. Belgium failed to capitalise on the penalty, and the score remained 27-10 at half-time.

Down to 14, Chile opted for a more pragmatic approach and kicked at goal whenever the opportunity arose, with Soler successfully adding another three points.

The second half was drenched in anxiety, with neither team finding their rhythm and several promising attacking opportunities spoiled by handling errors.

With 10 minutes left, Belgium finally troubled the scoreboard when utility back Samuel Meksoud came off the bench to add a second five-pointer. Depasse converted from the corner, putting his team 14 points away from taking the lead.

Unfortunately for the European nation, it was not enough to change the outcome. Chile closed ranks well and applied immense defensive pressure, enough to secure the victory and the title in the inaugural World Rugby U20 Challenger.

In the end, it was a fair result for a team that dominated from the first minute, with Chile once again showing they are on the rise at every level.