New Zealand Crowned U19 Champions

New Zealand stamped their authority on the IRB U19 World Championship final early and kept the pressure on throughout a fine match to overcome France by 34-11 at Durban’s ABSA Stadium.

The French fell to their knees as the New Zealanders jumped with delight as the final whistle rewarded their superior endeavour and discipline on the night.

Where the kiwis were slick and decisive the French were error-strewn and lacking their usual rhythm.
From the very first exchanges New Zealand were strong enough up front to handle the physical French tight five and creative enough to conjure gaps and spaces on which the loose forwards and backs could thrive.

Fittingly, on a night when the New Zealand pack might well have won a collective ‘men of the match’ award, all four of their tries were scored by the big men up front.

Prior to the final it had been the likes of wing James Somerset grabbing the headlines with batches of tries but tonight, while Somerset – a player of genuine promise – had another storming match, the tries and accolades fell to his habitual providers.

The first half saw hooker Lance Po-Ching and second row Michael Paterson cross for tries and, while a penalty from Mathieu Bourret was all the French could manage, they were still very much in the match at 14-3 when half time came.

Even more so when Bourret pulled the deficit back to eight points shortly after the restart, but his penalty also served to galvanise the New Zealanders into action.

Spurred on by Moa at scrum half, the forwards worked tirelessly in the tight and loose and further tries came for second row Jeremy Thrush and flanker Kieran Read.

Number 8 Mikaele Tuu’u covered every blade of grass and full back Miah Nikora kicked a total of 14 points including four conversions to keep the tally ticking over. France, marshalled by superb captain Cibray, could not match the effort.

Too many passes edged forward, too many must-take catches went astray. It simply was not their night. Maxime Medard’s try came as scant consolation and the French will take the losing experience and try and go one better next year, as they have done this term in reaching the final.

For New Zealand though a night to remember. Jamie Mackintosh, captain for the second consecutive year, beamed with pride as he held the trophy aloft to the night sky, the crowd and the cameras, but most of all to his battle weary team mates.