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They may have won the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship title on Sunday, but New Zealand Under-20s “still have a job to do” within weeks as they look to end the country’s title drought at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
Hooker Asafo Amoa scored a hat-trick and another All Blacks receiver in Dalton Babale, Luke Jacobson and Steven Perofeta were also on the scoresheet as New Zealand claimed the 2017 world title with a 64-17 win over England.
But the Baby Blacks’ dominance at U20s level has taken a major hit in recent tournaments. New Zealand has finished in the top four on just one occasion while France has emerged as a team that has won three tiles in the same number of events.
Vernon Basson reacts to his inaugural TRC title win | U20 Truth and Reconciliation Commission
France, England, Ireland and Australia could be among the favorites to win the title in South Africa later this year, but there are also good reasons why the New Zealanders should dare to dream of the Under-20 program returning to its former glory.
New Zealand clinched its first ever Under-20 Rugby Championship title with a thrilling 36-25 win over Australia on Sunday night. It was all worth playing for in that crucial match, but the New Zealanders made the most of their chances and overcame some difficulties.
That’s one trophy locked up for another year but the Baby Blacks want more.
“We got the job done here,” captain Vernon Basson said. “We will celebrate as a team but keep in mind that we still have work to do later in the year.” Rugby Pass Sunday.
“That’s something…it’s been a long time since the New Zealand Under-20s or the Baby Blacks have won that.
“Looking at this group, I think we have a real big potential to be able to break that streak and hopefully come out with it.”
As the big title approached, New Zealand entered into a fierce battle with Australia midway through the second half. Junior Wallabies winger Will McCulloch scored his second try in three minutes to give the home side a slender lead.
Baby Blacks captain Bason was substituted on the hour mark after making a powerful substitution, and in-form striker Malachi Wrambling-Alec followed up just a few minutes later with what appeared to be a leg injury.
New Zealand were without their captain and star player, and were also trailing on the scoreboard. They had their backs against the ropes, and their quest for Rugby Championship glory was dealt another blow soon after when Rico Simpson received the first of five yellow cards.
“I was literally on the edge of my seat,” Basson said after the game.
But the men in black wouldn’t go down without a fight.
They threw everything at their opponents and eventually took the lead, with a last-ditch effort set up by Xavi Tilly with four minutes to go to play the icing on the cake.
Basson had the honor of becoming the first ever captain to lift the trophy, and the New Zealanders were ecstatic as their skipper walked up to the team carrying the huge trophy.
Meanwhile, about 20 meters away, young wallabies stood with blank looks on their faces. They came out of second place in an exciting battle against a worthy champion.
“I’m still so lost for words. It’s the first time this competition has ever been held and to be able to put New Zealand’s name on it first gives us a lot of pride.”
“Over the moon. It took the whole 80 to get that. It was something we had to work for, it wasn’t given to us. Just real happy.”
He added: “This tournament in particular gives us great momentum to continue in (the South African Championship) and the World Cup later in the year.”
“Just to be able to play different teams every week, different opponents and try to understand how they like to attack, how they like to play.
“You take that into our books and how we can improve ourselves.”
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