Last weekend the New Zealand Under-20 side set the standard in junior rugby as they put on a highly impressive display against a strong England side at the Junior World Championship in Tokyo. New Zealand won the Final 44-28.
As always, the pool of talent in New Zealand runs deep as these youngsters showed that despite the senior All Blacks not having the most enjoyable time at the moment, the near future looks promising.
Scoring seven quality tries, the Baby Blacks secured the trophy with Junior World Player of the Year Aaron Cruden playing a part in most of them. Super 14 players such as Zac Guildford and Winston Stanley also contributed with quality play.
Leading 25-14 at halftime, the game was finely balanced with the well groomed and determined England side possibly having a chance of getting back into it.
Three minutes into the second half the Kiwi side scored again, which basically put the game beyond England, despite scoring a consolation try.
Some of these tries scored by the juniors are phenomenal. The support play, fifteen man rugby, and pure class shown at such a young age are something to behold.
Congrats to both sides who performed really well throughout the tournament, entertaining the enthusiastic Japanese crowds and no doubt contributing towards the continued growth of the game in that region.
Time:
05:43
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