Match Report: New Zealand U20 36-26 Scotland U20

Fergus Pringle’s men scored four tries on the day through a Joe Roberts double alongside scores from Harvey Preston and Daniel Kelly, earning a bonus point.

Scotland started the match in promising fashion, competing well against New Zealand. The match was firmly in the balance with neither side giving up much territory but after 17 minutes the breakthrough arrived. Jake Dalziel was tackled strongly in the midfield by Haki Wiseman and Logan Williams ran in for a try from nearly the halfway line. Mika Muliaina added the extras. (7-0)

That try signaled a change in momentum and New Zealand were able to notch a penalty five minutes later. (10-0)

New Zealand began to turn the screw but Scotland tackled hard and won a turnover after 29 minutes, 20 metres from their own line which allowed them to reset.

After 37 minutes, New Zealand showed their clinical edge when Kele Lasaqa darted down the wing before offloading to Cohen Norrie. The conversion was slotted and Scotland found themselves 17-0 down.

Just before the half-time whistle sounded, Scotland pulled a try back with Harvey Preston dotting down following a driving maul. Jake Dalziel slotted the extras to cut the deficit prior to the break where Scotland were behind 17-7.

Half-time: New Zealand U20 17-7 Scotland U20

New Zealand responded immediately though and in the first minute of the second half Cohen Norrie scored a try to edge them further in front (22-7).

The early try sparked a frantic period of play with the tries free flowing.
Scotland weren’t for giving up and after 45 minutes, co-captain Joe Roberts barreled over with Jake Dalziel slotting the extras (22-14)

After 48 minutes New Zealand immediately responded with Siale Pahulu darting over the line. (29-14)

Scotland were resilient and just when it looked like the scoreboard was running away from them, they clawed their way back in with Joe Roberts once again diving over the line to bring Scotland back within 10 points with 24 minutes remaining on the clock.

After 67 minutes New Zealand had pressure on Scotland’s line and made it pay with John Falloon scoring their fifth try, as he stormed over from close range. (36-19)

Scotland searched desperately for their try bonus point and in the last minute they got what they deserved. After 83 minutes, a long searching pass was gathered by Daniel Kelly who dived over the line to salvage something from the game.
Scotland now face Japan on Tuesday having won one game and lost the other.

The match will kick-off at 12.30pm with the match live on Rugby Pass and Premier Sports.

Full-time New Zealand U20 36-26 Scotland U20

Head coach Fergus Pringle said: “I was really proud of that performance. The effort and fight was outstanding. The boys really dug in. We just need to be more clinical.

“I thought the effort was charactarised in the last minute of the game when we got a scrum penalty and managed to get a try. When we got in their 22 I thought we did well but we just weren’t in there enough during the game.

“If someone said you’d have six points after two games I would have taken that. We just need to switch our focus to recovery and give our best against Japan.”

New Zealand:
15. Cohen Norrie (Blues/Auckland), 14. Kele Lasaqa (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty), 13. Siale Pahulu (Blues/Auckland), 12. Haki Wiseman (c) (Chiefs/Taranaki), 11. David Lewai (Chiefs/Waikato, 10. Mika Muliaina (Highlanders/Southland), 9. Charlie Sinton (vc) (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty), 1. Henry Stuart (Highlanders/Otago), 2. Josh Findlay (Crusaders/Canterbury), 3. Ethan Webber (Highlanders/Otago), 4. Max Fale (Crusaders/Canterbury), 5. Jake Frost (Crusaders/Canterbury), 6. Bradley Tocker (Chiefs/Taranaki), 7. Caleb Woodley (vc) (Blues/Auckland), 8. Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay)

Replacements: 16. Alani Fakava (Hurricanes/Manawatū), 17. Dane Johnston (Chiefs/Taranaki) 18. Alex Hewitt (Hurricanes/Wellington), 19. Johnny Falloon (Hurricanes/Wellington), 20. Micah Fale (Chiefs/Waikato), 21. Jackson Hughan (Highlanders/Southland), 22. Logan Williams (Crusaders/Canterbury), 23. Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders/Tasman)

Scotland:
15. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby), 14. Dan Kelly (Edinburgh Rugby), 13. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby), 12. Alex Bryden (Glasgow Warriors), 11. Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby), 10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle/Newcastle Red Bulls, 9. Asa Stewart Harris (Saracens), 1. Ollie McKenna (Glasgow Warriors), 2. Joe Roberts Co-Captain (Glasgow Warriors), 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby), 4. Alfie Blackett (Cardiff Metropolitan University), 5. Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors), 6. Christian Lindsay (Edinburgh Rugby), 7. Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby), 8. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)

Replacements: 16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC) (on for Joe Roberts – 58 mins), 17. Will Pearce (Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears) (on for Oliver Mckenna – 55 minutes), 18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors) (on for Ollie Blyth Lafferty – 58 mins), 19. Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby) (on for Blackett – 42 mins), 20. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews) (on for Jack Utterson – 51 mins), 21. Matthew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby) (on for Asa Stewart-Harris – 60 mins), 22. Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby) (on for Bryden – 42 mins) Co-Captain, 23. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks) (on for Rory McHaffie – 68 mins)