...Yahoo...The Junior All Blacks have kicked off their 2015 U20 Rugby World Cup campaign with a nine try victory out classing Scotland this morning in a 68-10 hiding.
Ng?ti Pikiao halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi set a solid base for the backs, and Blues winger Tevita Li had a standout performance with a show of speed and power.
NZ U20 Head Coach Scott Robertson said in an interview on All Blacks TV before the team left for Italy that “expectations are really high but they are looking forward to using their skills.”
The team hopes to build off this performance heading into their match against Argentina on Sunday morning in Calvisano, Italy.
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The first quarter saw the fired-up Scottish team pile on the pressure, forcing the boys in black to make a number of initial errors.
“It was a tough start,” acknowledged head coach Scott Robertson. “We made some mistakes and errors in our own half and a couple of the ref’s calls counted against us.”
A yellow card for centre Jack Goodhue for a leg trip meant New Zealand were down to 14 men after just 11 minutes and Scotland’s Lewis Carmichael took advantage by scoring their only try of the game, which replays showed was a tight call.
New Zealand didn’t waste any time to hit back and replied with two tries under the posts in quick succession from full back George Bridge and winger Tevita Li who carved through the Scottish defence.
Akira Ioane barged his way over from a quick tap penalty just before the break to help the New Zealand youngsters to a 27-10 half-time lead.
“We found our composure and when we actually got a bit of turnover ball we got some momentum back and finished strongly,” explained Robertson.
The second half saw New Zealand pick up the pace and gain momentum, running in a further six tries and demonstrating some slick handling skills and creative running lines.
The bonus point was secured by number eight Blake Gibson early in the second period and a visit to the sin bin by Scotland’s Archie Russell provided birthday boy Mitchell Karpik with an opportunity to celebrate with a try of his own.
ABs .com
