New Zealand v Ireland
by “Bardon”
New Zealand came into the game on the back of their very tough semi-final defeat to the Baby Boks.
Some of the Irish squad may feel that they didn’t do themselves justice in their semi against England; they looked very fired up.
First half
Ireland started very well and dominated possession in the first five minutes with Ringrose looking lively. New Zealand were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball. When they did they were clinical.
An excellent drive from Tucker lead to Mo’unga slicing through the Ireland defence before drawing the last man and passing to Li who strolled in under the sticks. McKenzie converted, 7-0 New Zealand against the run of play.
Ireland had a chance to hit back immediately; when Cridge was pinged for offside Byrne slotted from in front. Another penalty a couple of minutes later made it 7-6. Ireland were back in the game.
An excellent McKenzie take lead to a Li burst on the wing, who returned the favour to put Mo’unga over. McKenzie added the extras 14-6. New Zealand had hardly any ball in the opening quarter but they’d scored twice.
Richard Mo’unga – worked well with Tevita Li
Ireland were then awarded a penalty try from a well driven 5-metre scrum. Byrne converts 14-13.
As the penalties mounted up against the Kiwis Tucker got a yellow card. Byrne scored the penalty; 16-14, Ireland in front for the first time.
New Zealand were being dominated up front but they were deadly in the backs who combined to put Li over for his second try. McKenzie converted 21-14 to the Baby Blacks.
Ringrose made a good burst and his offload came off Heffernan’s shin, who then picked up and rumbled over to score. Byrne converted to put Ireland back in front 23-21, the half time score.
Oisin Heffernan – rumbled over to score
The story of the first half was Ireland’s forward against New Zeland’s backs. Ireland’s scrum and lineout went really well. Their forwards worked well around the park in the loose and gave their team plenty of go forward ball. Some very impressive play by the Kiwi backs kept them in the game; while they got their set piece going in the last few minutes.
Second half
New Zealand started well as their forwards got into the game and they applied some pressure on Ireland pinning them in their 22. Tucker had a try chalked off as the TMO couldn’t see the grounding.
10 minutes of pressure finally told as Tucker again went over, this time the Ref was perfectly positioned to award the try, the conversion was missed, 26-23.
Richard Tucker – second time lucky
Ireland were under the cosh and needed to respond. They got their hands on the ball and had a sustained period of passing including an excellent step and run from Kelleher. However much of their attack was very lateral and they were confined to their own half.
A good kick from Byrne saw the ball in the New Zealand 22 for the first time after 15 minutes of the second half. Ireland were penalised from the lineout and New Zealand cleared.
As the third quarter came to an end New Zealand pressed again in the Ireland 22, Kelleher picked up a yellow card just as his team were re-establishing themselves in the game.
The Baby Blacks piled on the pressure with a succession of kicks turned down in favour of a possible try. Ireland seemed to have lifted the siege when Taggart burst out of the 22 and brought play up to half way. But New Zealand kicked through and Drummond scored under the posts. The conversion gave the Kiwis a 10 point lead, 33-23.
Mitchell Drummond – scored under the posts
New Zealand began to stretch away in the last 10 minutes, as Ireland began to tire, Mo’unga went over for his second try. The extras were duly added by McKenzie, 40-23.
A high tackle on Kelleher meant New Zealand had to see out the final 6 minutes a man down with Cridge in the bin.
The Kiwis had the final say as Boshier went over in the corner to stretch the final score to 45-23 with the conversion missed.
Third place to New Zealand then. They upped their effort considerably in the second half as their pack came into the game and their backs continued to impress. They might not see third place as a success; but there was no shame in losing to a quality South African side. This was their last game of a home tournament and they went out on a high.
Ireland found it hard to make any headway in the second half. Ireland won’t be happy with the result but they restored some pride with the performance and can be proud of their tournament. Fourth place is their best ever finish at the Junior World Championship.
See page 3 for Aussie comeback game
