Australia-France final set to delight on Saturday as Under-20 Championship draws to a close
World Rugby’s Under-20 Championship semi-finals turned out to be a bit of damp squib due to inclement weather in Rosario, but they have laid the foundations for what promises to be a thoroughly compelling final on Saturday.
Australia were the first to book their places in the competition’s showpiece event thanks to a 34-13 victory over hosts Argentina. They once again rode their luck with a red card, albeit this time they had to cope for just the 38 minutes rather than the 78 that they were down to 14 men for against England.
Joining the Junior Wallabies in the final are France, the reigning champions who saw off a strong South African side 20-7 in their semi-final later.
The Junior Springboks will feel like they didn’t fire enough shots, especially after having looked impressive in their three straight wins in the group stage. However, there is no denying that France were the much better team on the day.
It’s been an interesting year in the under-20s grade. No one team has stood out as clear front-runners, and a number of teams are all capable of beating one another on the right day. That said, if one team has managed to distance themselves from the pack, it has arguably been Australia.
Revised times for the final match day at the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship on Saturday, 22 June.
– @IrishRugby will now play @AllBlacks at 13.00 (GMT -3).
– @Federugby will now face @GeorgianRugby at 15.30 (GMT -3) pic.twitter.com/kKCuUcaFTE— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 20, 2019
The Junior Wallabies put in a clean sweep at the Oceania Under-20 Championship, beating Japan, Fiji and New Zealand. That secured them their first title in that tournament’s five-year history, with New Zealand having won the competition in every other year of its existence.
Australia then backed that up this month with comfortable and composed victories in Argentina over Italy and Ireland in the group stage. The one derailing of their train came at the hands of England in the final group match, although that was heavily influenced by the second-minute red card picked up by Patrick Tafa.
Prior to that pool finale, England had been having a below-par tournament. With a man advantage, they played their best rugby of the competition and managed to put 56 points on the young Australians. The Junior Wallabies did respond with 33 points of their own and showed plenty of heart despite being outmatched on the day.
With just one match day to go at the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship, Dallen Stanford and Sean Holley give their views on the most standout players int he competition to date. Some box office players here.
What player tops your list? pic.twitter.com/BUhqEnpL7n
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 19, 2019
The semi-final win over Argentina righted the ship for Australia, with Jason Gilmore’s side showing much better control and execution in the Rosario deluge despite once again being plagued by indiscipline reducing them to 14 players.
It’s not a criticism that can solely be levelled against Australia. A number of teams have struggled to deal with the new decision-making framework that surrounds high tackles at the tournament, but it is certainly something they will need to clean up if they are to clinch their first-ever World Rugby Under-20 Championship title.
Australia’s only other final appearance came in 2010, coincidentally the last time the tournament was hosted by Argentina. They were comfortably beaten by New Zealand on that occasion and it was followed by a tough time for Australia.
U20s highlights: Check out all the action from this thrilling encounter where Australia beat Argentina 34 -13 to book their place in the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship final pic.twitter.com/RVRwfu5HaV
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 17, 2019
Their best performance since then until 2019 was a third-place finish in 2011, with the Junior Wallabies failing to make the semi-finals for seven years until this month’s breakthrough.
France, meanwhile, have been almost the opposite of Australia over those years. Having failed to make much impact in the tournament’s formative seasons, they have since become an age-grade powerhouse.
Not only did France win the competition last year on home soil, but they have also begun pumping out major contributors to the Top 14 and a number of these young talents have already put their hands up for senior international selection.
Congratulations to the #JuniorWallabies who have made their first #WorlRugbyU20s Final since 2010. You did us proud boys! #GoldBlooded#AUSvARG https://t.co/I0P6enqoQB
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 17, 2019
There is plenty of consistency in the French side from the group that won the title last year, with Jordan Joseph, Louis Carbonel, Julien Delbouis, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Killian Geraci spearheading the squad’s bid for back-to-back titles this year.
Tighthead prop Demba Bamba, who has since graduated to the French senior side, has been missed at scrum time as the French set-piece isn’t as destructive as it was last year.
Romain Ntamack’s playmaking has also not been replaced and there is a larger burden on Carbonel to pull the strings in the back line. Despite the team not performing as dominantly this season, they are still a very dangerous group, one that is more than capable of lifting the trophy.
Victoire en demi finale face au baby boks , rendez vous samedi pour la finale face à l’Australie ??/?? #FRAAUS #worldrugbyu20s pic.twitter.com/vVWYARgPYP
— Louis Carbonel (@LouisCarbonel) June 18, 2019
Australia find themselves in a similar situation. A number of second-year players are leading the way and face their last shot at glory at this level.
Captain Fraser McReight has been in sensationally good form throughout the competition and has arguably been the stand-out player in Argentina over the first four matchdays.
Alongside back row colleagues Will Harris and Harry Wilson, the Australian loose forward trio has shone. But they will certainly have their work cut out keeping Joseph quiet in the final. The success he and Bamba had in last year’s final against England was crucial to France lifting their first ever title at this level.
Top five tries from match day four at the #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/fHzCf8vKv6
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 19, 2019
Front rowers’ Angus Bell and Lachlan Lonergan have stood out with their work in the loose and will again need to be effective as the French pack comfortably exerted their physicality on South Africa in the semi-final, something which was no mean feat given the quality in the Junior Springboks side.
One area where Australia may fancy themselves enjoying an advantage is in the midfield where Noah Lolesio and Semisi Tupou have been the most cohesive centre pairing we have seen at the tournament so far.
Coupled with Isaac Lucas’ proclivity for popping up in the back line and helping link the midfield with the wings, Australia have looked just as good in space as their forwards have looked in the tight.
The biggest blow to the Junior Wallabies’ hopes comes in the form of missing fly-half Will Harrison, who had played with aplomb against Italy and Ireland before suffering a concussion against England. He missed the semi-final win over Argentina and, based on the protocols around return to play, will also miss the decider against France.
Ben Donaldson coped well at fly-half against Argentina, but in Carbonel he will find himself up against a very composed operator, someone whose senior experience clearly shines through in his play at this level.
France’s threats in the midfield might not be quite as potent as Australia’s, but if the French pack can deliver front-foot ball, Carbonel is more than capable of running a back line that can cause the Junior Wallabies plenty of problems.
U20s Highlights: Check out all the action from this #WorldRugbyU20s semi-final as last year's champions France secured their place in the Championship final after beating South Africa 20-7 pic.twitter.com/4J4fjLw2mm
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 18, 2019
Whichever way the result goes on Saturday, the future looks bright for both of these teams, with a number of the individuals involved potentially going on to win senior caps as soon as next year when international Test teams begin to build for the 2023 Rugby World Cup cycle.
One interesting attendee at Australia’s semi-final win over Argentina? Eddie Jones.
Whether the Australian was just enjoying his native nation prospering at this level, taking in Argentina as a guest of Daniel Hourcade, or eyeing the future strength of the Wallabies, the England head coach will certainly have been impressed by what he saw in Rosario.
WATCH: The new RugbyPass documentary, Going Pro, about the Saracens women’s team and their successful attempt to win back to back English titles
Comments on RugbyPass
Are the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
2 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
2 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to comments