The second day of IRB Junior World Championship 2013 delivered yet another top quality display of Under 20 Rugby, with the teams tightly positioned ahead of the last Pool matches.
In total, matchday two saw 28 tries scored across six matches in the three venues in the north west of France on Sunday.
South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Wales and Argentina remain undefeated, setting up a compelling final day of pool play on Thursday, June 13.
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IRB Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias said: “We saw yet another example of the brilliant skill and top quality Rugby that is on display at the IRB Junior World Championship.”
“The huge crowds in Nantes, Vannes and La Roche-sur-Yon were treated to some exceptionally competitive Rugby as once again the cream of the world’s Under 20 players showed why they are the future stars of the sport.
“Today’s results set us up perfectly for the last of the Pool stages next Thursday. It will be very interesting to see who comes out on top for the Semi-final stages.”
The action got underway in Nantes on Sunday, where a spirited Samoa tested Argentina early on, but the South Americans ran out winners 28-16. However they may rue the lost opportunity of a winning bonus point.
Following that, 6 Nations rivals Wales and Scotland faced off at Stade Pascal Laporte where it came down to small margins as the Welsh got the better of their opponents in a tight game, 26-21.
Stade de la Rabine in Vannes was almost full to the rafters for Sunday’s Pool B games, and like elsewhere in the region, fans weren’t left disappointed by the displays.
Ireland went behind early on to a penalty after good work by the Fijian’s but after that, the Pacific Islanders had to deal with waves of green as Mike Ruddock’s men scored six tries and ran out easy winners, 46-3.
Next up was a clash that left spectators in Vannes on thier feet applauding a #JWC2013 classic, as New Zealand beat their trans-Tasman rivals Australia 14-10 in a tight encounter.
The match went down to the last minute as the Australians bombarded the New Zealand line but couldn’t break down the defence to cause what would have been a remarkable upset in the competition.
New Zealand now face Ireland on Thursday in a top of the table Pool B clash.
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La Roche sur Yon was the venue for Pool C heavyweights South Africa and England who battled it out at the Stade Henri Desgrange. Despite going behind 21-7 at one stage, the English fought back and the Babyboks had to keep their composure to complete their second victory of the campaign, with a 31-24 scoreline. Winger Seabelo Senatla impressed for the South Africans, scoring two tries in this important victory.
Hosts France didn’t give their home crowd much to shout about on Day one, but they got their first win of the tournament, beating a plucky USA side 45-3.
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You can follow all the action from match day two as it happens, via www.irb.com/jwc with the fully interactive IRB live updates and follow the tournament on Twitter at @irbjuniors or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/irbjuniorworldrugby.
