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Players from eight of the 16 teams in the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship will dream tonight of lifting the trophy. By the time they go to bed on Saturday evening, that number will be cut in half following the crucial last round of pool matches.
Pool A, Cardiff Arms Park
3pm Ireland v Tonga
5pm New Zealand v Argentina Victory at the IRB Junior World Championship 2008 would round off a perfect year for the trio who jetted into Wales to join the New Zealand squad direct from the Canterbury Crusaders' recent Super 14 win. Wings Sean Maitland and Kade Poki and number 8 Nasi Manu were all part of the 65-10 second-round Pool A win over Ireland this week. Poki took the man of the match award against the Irish after grabbing a brace of tries as the three rising stars of New Zealand's professional game made it clear they will provide a massive boost to a squad already brimful of talent. Poki's electric pace yielded two well-finished tries, while Maitland also got on the scoresheet and was involved in the build-up to other tries, including a perfect kick through for scrum half Grayson Hart to touch down in the second half. Manu was also impressive, making some storming runs. Poki said they were all delighted to be in Wales playing for the national Under 20 side. "It was awesome playing out there against Ireland and it's good to play with the boys again. I played with some of them last year and it's just good to be here back with my own mates and people my own age. "It's always pleasing to get a few tries in the first game, so I'm happy with that and how we played overall." If New Zealand go on to lift the title, it would signal a superb end to the season for Poki, who has even been touted as an outside chance to make Graham Henry's All Blacks side after an impressive maiden Super 14 season. "Winning this competition would really top things off for me but we can't think ahead and we've just got to take it game by game. It would make my year complete actually if we could go and do it." His recent experience in the higher echelons of New Zealand rugby means his team-mates at this competition look to him for advice as they prepare to take on the best in the world at age-grade level. "I suppose they do look to me in ways but I still look to some of the guys for certain tips in certain areas. Most of the guys here have the same ability as a lot of the Super 14 guys but they just haven't had the opportunities yet but I'm sure they'll be there in the near future." New Zealand face Argentina tomorrow (Saturday) in their final Pool A match, the winners guaranteed a place in the top four. Argentina, like New Zealand, have beaten Ireland and Tonga, and promise to offer a sterner test than the tournament favourites have had to date. "Argentina will be a tough game because they play with a lot of heart and they never give up so it's going to be a big one," Poki said. New Zealand coach Dave Rennie agreed the South Americans would provide a stiff test. "We've seen them play and we reckon we know how they will play against us. They will try and keep it pretty tight and we'll need to defend really well and we have to be ready for that." Rennie said the addition of the Super 14 players had made a difference against Ireland. "They are a little more seasoned that the rest of them. They are highly respected among the boys and they are all good mates." Tickets for Junior World Championship matchdays are £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be purchased on the gate
Pool B, The Racecourse, Wrexham
Saturday 14 June
3pm Scotland v USA
5pm South Africa v Samoa Racecourse Braced for Crunch Junior World Championship Pool Decider The race to secure a place in the semi-finals of the IRB Junior World Championship will reach a climax on Saturday when South Africa and Samoa go head to head in the crunch Pool B match at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham (5pm). The two teams remain undefeated after two rounds of scintillating action and South Africa currently top the Pool B standings heading into the final round of matches . However, with just one team progressing from the pool phase to the semi-final at Cardiff Arms Park on June 18, Saturday's big match takes on massive significance. For Samoa, victory would mean a place in an top tier IRB age grade semi-final for the first time, but in reaching the milestone, the Pacific Islanders would have to produce a herculean performance against a South African side that has scored 180 points and claimed a maximum 10 points from their matches against USA and Scotland. "We made a lot of mistakes against the USA and we have been working hard to improve ahead of the big match against South Africa," admitted Samoa captain Afa Aiono. "The USA match was a tough one and we did not expect it to be so physical, but we are all looking forward to Saturday's match. It will be a very hard game, but we are aiming to win." South Africa will be aiming to reach a second successive IRB age grade championship final, after losing the Under 19 World Championship final to New Zealand last year. However, head coach Eric Sauls insists that his side will not be looking beyond what promises to be a very physical match against Samoa. "The performance against Scotland was a good one, but we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground. Samoa are a tough side and we will have to do the things we're good at; the scrums, lineouts, and mauls and keep the basics functioning well. We are in good shape and we certainly have the backs who can break the line. " The big match will be preceded by Scotland v USA. Both teams are yet to record a victory in the Championship, but Scotland will be looking to secure a victory that will mean a play-off place in Newport against the third team in Pool C - either Canada or Fiji. "We now have to pick ourselves up for the important game against the USA," said Scotland captain Lewis Calder. "Right from the start against South Africa we struggled with the pace and physicality and this is something that we must address ahead of Saturday." The Tournament in North Wales has been heralded as a great success, generating strong crowds to rival the established rugby venues in the south and generating a welcoming, family atmosphere across the two match days to date. "The IRB has been particularly impressed with the operation in Wrexham," said IRB Tournament Director for North Wales Steve Griffiths. "The level of enthusiasm and support from the organising committee, the Wrexham FC staff and the team of volunteers has been incredible, while it appears that the whole rugby community in North Wales has got behind the matches here in Wrexham. All the teams have been impressed by the welcome that they have received." Following the pool phase the Racecourse will play host to a 'finals day' on June 21, where positions 1 3 -16 will be decided. It promises to be an extremely exciting day with Tonga or Ireland, Scotland or USA, Fiji or Canada and Japan or Italy playing off to avoid finishing bottom and a match against Uruguay, winners of this year's IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. "Those coming to Wrexham for finals day will be in for a real treat," explained Griffiths. "Different teams will bring a fresh interest, while the matches promise to be incredibly competitive. It will be a day not to be missed as Wrexham looks to sign off the IRB Junior World Championship 2008 with a bang." Tickets for Saturday's decisive matches start at just £2 and can be purchased on the gate. Pool C, Rodney Parade, NewportSaturday 14 June
2.30pm England v Australia
4.30pm Canada v Fiji Catt Ready Set to Sink Claws into Australia England face Australia in Saturday's crunch Pool C fixture at Rodney Parade, Newport, knowing that nothing other than a victory will suffice if they are to keep alive the dream of winning the IRB Junior World Championship. With just one team from each of the four Championship pools qualifying for the semi-finals on June 18, Nigel Redman's side face Australia in the crunch winner takes all match knowing that victory would guarantee a place in the last four against either South Africa or Samoa in Cardiff. For Bath Rugby's Nathan Catt, the hugely impressive prop who has been a cornerstone of the England Under 20 scrum during both this Championship and the Six Nations, Saturday's fixture represents the biggest game of his blossoming career to date and with it an exciting, new challenge. "The Australia match represents a massive challenge for us. The focus has always been on this match in the pool stages and there is a lot of confidence running through the squad at the moment after two victories and we are just looking forward to getting on with it," said Catt. Australia, like England, are one of the form sides of the Championship having amassed 131 points from their two opening matches and currently top the Pool C standings, but Catt insists that the best is yet to come from what he believes is a confident and extremely talented England Under 20 team. "We are definitely playing some good rugby at the moment, and although we did not produce a performance over the full eighty minutes against Fiji and Canada, we have played well in the first forty in both matches and will be looking for more of the same on Saturday against Australia." Since Tuesday's round two matches, Catt and his England teammates have been pouring over the footage of Australia's opening matches, looking to find a chink in the green and gold armour and the young prop is confident that the fluid running game deployed by the Australian team can be matched. "Australia have some very good half backs who run the show, and they also have some pace out wide which is a major strength, but hopefully we can counteract that with our defence, while providing the opportunity for our own quick backs to get some ball." For Catt, a veteran of the IRB Under 19 World Championship last year, the Tournament has definitely been a step up in intensity from the Belfast event, and with many players already regularly featuring for their club, state or province, Catt believes that the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship will raise the bar in terms of international age grade competition, while also playing a major role in his personal development both on and off the field. "With the Six Nations we knew the opposition inside out, but here it is completely different. It tests you as you have the opportunity to test yourself against the best players in the world in your position at this level. "You can measure yourself and see where you do well and identify areas where perhaps you don't do so well. It mentally toughens you as you have to play hard for all 80 minutes while you are also playing against some very big, powerful players. It is a great experience." The 'in camp' environment of an international Championship is also something that players at this level have to deal with mentally, as is the unique challenge of playing a match every four days. It can be a tiring process, but playing his matches just 60 miles from his club Bath Rugby, Catt can count on considerable personal support come match day. "It is great that my family and friends can come and watch as Newport is close to Bath. They have been incredibly supportive, while I have been receiving lots of 'good luck' messages this week." Should Australia be toppled a semi final lies in wait for Catt and his teammates, and although England could end up facing Samoa, a team they played at Under 19 level last year, Catt would love to have the opportunity to take on a much hailed South Africa side. "Actually, I would like to play against South Africa as they are the only major international side that I have not played against." The action kicks off at Rodney Parade at 2.30pm. Tickets start from just £2 and can be purchased at the gate, while the match will be shown live
POOL D, Liberty Stadium Swansea
'Take your chances' - Horgan
Wales Under 20 head coach Patrick Horgan has urged his players to use every scoring chance they get against France in their winner-takes-all final Pool D match at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, 5.00pm). Wales must beat France to win the Pool and qualify for the IRB Junior World Championships' semi-finals at Rodney Parade, Newport, on Wednesday, 18 June. Horgan has reverted to the majority of the side that beat Italy 29-10 in Wales' opening match for the showdown with France. The only changes from that side are in the centre, where Rhys Williams replaces Gareth Owen who picked up a knee injury after coming on as a replacement against Japan on Tuesday, and on the left wing where Jason Tovey has earned a place in the starting line-up ahead of fellow Dragon Jimmy Norris. Horgan said: "Wales and France are two evenly matched sides and tomorrow's Pool decider should be a cracker of a match. "We have missed a number of scoring opportunities in our opening two matches which we know can't happen if we are to beat France tomorrow and progress to the semi-final stage of this tournament. "We have felt the pressure of being the home side but I believe that experience will stand us in good stead in the latter stages of the tournament if we can overcome the French on Saturday." Tickets for all Junior World Championship matchdays on Saturday cost £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be purchased on the gate. Wales Under 20 team v France - Saturday, 14 June - Liberty Stadium (5.00pm): Daniel Evans (Scarlets); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Williams (Scarlets), Jason Tovey (Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Lawrence (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Haydn Pugh (Scarlets), Jevon Groves (Blues), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Dan Franks (Blues), Sam Warburton (capt, Blues).
Replacements: Ryan Prosser (Bristol), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Patrick Palmer (Blues), Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Gareth Williams (Ospreys), Luke Ford (Blues). For further information / interview requests, contact Liz Jones tel 07736 056669 ENDS
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