Junior Wallabies defeat New Zealand Under 20s for Oceania Title

The Junior Wallabies defeated the New Zealand Under 20s in the Gold Coast, Australia to win their first ever Oceania Under 20s Championship on Saturday 04 May, 2019.

What was staged to be the final of the three rounds of matches between the four teams, turned out to be a one-sided-scintillating performance by the host team.

With both teams coming into the final undefeated, the four-time-defending Champions New Zealand, were tipped to be the favourites following their perfect track record at the Gold Coast.

However, the Junior Wallabies had other plans as their brilliant display of hard rugby kept the New Zealanders scoreless for the whole game, resulting in a 24 points deficit.

Taking nothing away from the effort put in by the visitors, the Junior Wallabies were impeccable in their defensive work, their aggressiveness in and around the contact area and their ability to move together in their defensive line.

New Zealand Under 20s Captain Kianu Kereru-Symes said that the team was disappointed in their loss against Australia, but they were looking to recover and go back to the drawing board as they prepare for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in June this year.

“We didn’t front up, and Australia did and they deserve the win so we are going back to the drawing board, recover and get ready ahead of preparations to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship,” Kereru-Symes said.

“I think the most important thing is that we remember that this is not the World Cup, this is not the final preparation for this squad. So we will regroup from here and get better,” he added.

The elated Junior Wallabies Captain Fraser McReight said that the experience of beating New Zealand in the final was an exciting one for them.

“To do it (win) on home soil in front of family and friends for the first time in this tournament is awesome, and I’m just lost for words,” Mcreight said.

“It’s just been an awesome effort from the boys to keep a New Zealand side for a full eighty with a yellow card. I think it just goes to show the amount of effort we’ve put in to this year and it’s a huge win and this is so good.” he added.

McReight said that the team has taken a lot of confidence out of this win going into the World Rugby Under 20 Championship later this year.

“I don’t think an Under 20s side has ever done that (win against New Zealand) in a very long time and we can take confidence in that, and that’s so unreal and I can’t wait for the future, and I can’t wait to win that Junior Rugby World Cup," McReight said.

In the other match up, the Vodafone Fijian Under 20s defeated Junior Japan by 59 points to 37 and secured their only win of the tournament.

Vodafone Fijian Under 20s Captain Tevita Ikanivere said that the team had a slow start to their game, but as the game progressed, they began to find their form and rhythm in the second half.

"It's really good to have a win under our belt and also compete against New Zealand and Australia who we might meet in the World Rugby U20 Championship. For us now it's about going back and continue to work hard as we prepare for the Championship in June," Ikanivere said.

Australia's win see them finish as number one in the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championships followed by New Zealand, Fiji and Japan.