New Zealand beaten in thrilling #JWC014 semifinal against South Africa   15 Jun 2014

New Zealand beaten in thrilling #JWC014 semifinal against South Africa
South Africa 32 – New Zealand 25         

A heartbroken New Zealand Under 20 side is ruing the near chances missed in a stunning IRB Junior World Championship semifinal that saw South Africa break loose from a 25-all deadlock just two minutes from full time.

New Zealand failed to hold out South Africa as they pushed over for a try to book themselves a place in this Friday’s #JWC2014 Final against England.  South Africa won 32-25 in the last of the semifinals played at North Harbour’s QBE Stadium.

New Zealand played a spectacular first 40 minutes as they tried to run the South Africans around the park.  South Africa came back from the break determined to wrestle control of the pace of the game – and they did so, levelling the scores to 25-all with just 10 minutes to play.

The prospect of playing extra time looked likely until the South African forwards pushed over the try line with hooker Corniel Els claiming the points.

In the other semifinal, England comfortably saw off Ireland 42 – 15.

For a review of today’s semifinals and ranking playoff matches, click here.

Head Coach Chris Boyd said he couldn’t fault the team’s efforts in tonight’s heartbreaking loss.

“It was just those little things inside the structure that killed us in the end.  And we slightly got our kicking game wrong after half time, but otherwise, I thought the boys tried really hard.

“I thought their (South African) legs were gone after 20 minutes and we just couldn’t quite force that killer blow … we just needed to deliver the knockout blow which we didn’t do in the end and a credit to them for holding us out,” he said.

Boyd said the team would quickly shift focus to their playoff match for 3rd against Ireland at Eden Park.

“We’d obviously like to be playing the last (Final) game.  We’re not going to go soft on the last game that’s for sure. There will be massive disappointment and we’ll obviously need to turn that around and we want to finish with a proud performance at home.”

For all tournament results and Finals fixtures, click here.

New Zealand will face Ireland in the playoff for 3rd and 4th in the tournament.  South Africa will face England in the #JWC2014 Final in what is expected to be another tight battle.  Both matches will be held at Eden Park.

Friday 20 June 2014

3rd/4th ranking
NZ v Ireland
Eden Park
Auckland
Kickoff:  5:05pm

Final
South Africa v England
Eden Park
Auckland
Kickoff:  7:35pm

 

     
          

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