Baby Blacks win 4th u20 crown in a row

New Zealand won a fourth successive junior world rugby championship after beating England 33-22 in a thrilling final on Sunday.

The Baby Blacks have won 20 consecutive matches and never lost in the under-20 tournament’s short history.

   Both sides scored three tries, but flyhalf Gareth Anscombe converted all of New Zealand’s and kicked four penalties in a perfect goalkicking effort to lead his side past England for the third time in the final.

   England, the Six Nations Grand Slam winner, dominated the first quarter and scored the first try, but New Zealand rallied to lead 23-10 soon after halftime. England closed to within 23-22 near the hour, but New Zealand’s defense tightened and fullback Beauden Barrett’s 74th-minute try secured the title.

   Winger Christian Wade, despite stepping in touch, opened England’s account with the first of his pair in the left corner, then New Zealand had a try disallowed for stepping out following a video replay of winger Mitchell Scott’s effort at the opposite end.

   After Anscombe’s first penalty, New Zealand went ahead in the 26th when it took advantage of an England injury with a quick throw-in and breakout from its 22, finishing with hooker Codie Taylor running in winger Charles Piutau.

   Anscombe kicked another penalty from almost halfway, and just before the break, the New Zealand forwards bashed England’s in a series of rucks to power over prop Ben Tameifuna.

   Another Anscombe long-range penalty after halftime made it 23-10, sparking England’s comeback. An overlap gave prop Henry Thomas a try, then Wade chased a grubber kick from Owen Farrell, dribbled it into the in-goal and twisted to touch down one-handed for his tournament-best seventh try.

Flyhalf George Ford missed the  conversion to put England in front, but Anscombe didn’t miss his fourth penalty shot moments later.

   The result was certain after center Limo Sopoaga’s chip ahead was scooped by Piutau, who offloaded to Barrett, who kicked it on and beat Ford to the ball. Anscombe converted and was named man of the match.

   New Zealand U20s 33 (Charles Piutau, Ben Tameifuna, Beauden Barrett tries; Gareth Anscombe 3 conversions, 4 penalties) def.

England U20s 22 (Christian Wade 2, Henry Thomas tries; George Ford 2 conversions, penalty). HT: 20-10.