Defending champions New Zealand will seek to win their third successive IRB Junior World Championship title by beating first-time finalists Australia at Estadio El Coloso del Parque in Rosario on Monday, June 21.

More than 80,000 fans have already attended 24 thrilling matches in Rosario, Santa Fe and Parana over the past 16 days, enjoying exceptional Rugby from the future stars of the world game in a festival atmosphere.

The final day will not only determine the champions and runners-up, but will also rank the teams from third to 12th, with the bottom placed side dropping down to the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2011.

The two finalists have provided some of the most memorable performances in the tournament so far, scoring 54 tries between them, amassing 395 points over their four matches.

“This is the biggest thing, it doesn't get much bigger than this and I am really looking forward to it. There is big rivalry between the countries and they are a great side, a lot of attacking flair. We are going to have to play well and it is just an exciting prospect," said New Zealand captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

His Australian counterpart Jake Schatz added: "Both teams are naturally attacking, that’s the way we play, I am sure it will be quick ball all round and very exciting for the crowd."

Defending champions New Zealand will seek to win their third successive IRB Junior World Championship title by beating first-time finalists Australia at Estadio El Coloso del Parque in Rosario on Monday, June 21.

More than 80,000 fans have already attended 24 thrilling matches in Rosario, Santa Fe and Parana over the past 16 days, enjoying exceptional Rugby from the future stars of the world game in a festival atmosphere.

The final day will not only determine the champions and runners-up, but will also rank the teams from third to 12th, with the bottom placed side dropping down to the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2011.

The two finalists have provided some of the most memorable performances in the tournament so far, scoring 54 tries between them, amassing 395 points over their four matches.

“This is the biggest thing, it doesn't get much bigger than this and I am really looking forward to it. There is big rivalry between the countries and they are a great side, a lot of attacking flair. We are going to have to play well and it is just an exciting prospect," said New Zealand captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

His Australian counterpart Jake Schatz added: "Both teams are naturally attacking, that’s the way we play, I am sure it will be quick ball all round and very exciting for the crowd."

Wales Under 20 have rung the changes for their final game of the IRB Junior World Championship 2010 in Argentina.

Wales play Fiji, who they beat 31-3 in the Pool stages, at Santa Fe on Monday (4pm) in the seventh/eighth place play-off with eight changes to the starting XV that eventually lost to Argentina on sudden death goal kicks on Thursday.

Phil Davies’ 26-man squad has been fully utilised throughout the tournament in order to give players the maximum amount of exposure to this level of international rugby with Blues and Glamorgan Wanderers full back Dan Fish and Ospreys and Neath wing Kristian Phillips the only players to have started every game.

Behind the scrum, Ben John, Ashley Beck, James Loxton and Matthew Jarvis return to the starting line-up to face the Pacific Islanders, while up front, Rhys Williams, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Peers and James Thomas all get the nod.

Dan Watchurst retains the captaincy of the side while last year’s Wales Under 18 captain, Lloyd Peers, steps up to take the role of vice-captain for this game.

“The players are keen to finish the tournament on a high and that means a win against Fiji tomorrow. Having already played, and beaten Fiji once in the tournament, we know each other’s capabilities but we will back ourselves to deliver a performance and a result,” said Davies.

James King and Rhys Jenkins are ruled out of the final game through injury.

Wales Under 20 v Fiji (Monday 21 June, Santa Fe): Dan Fish; Kristian Phillips, Ben John, Ashley Beck, James Loxton; Matthew Jarvis, Rhys Downes; Dan Watchurst (capt), Rhys Williams, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Peers (vice-capt), Joel Galley, Edward Siggery, Josh Navidi, James Thomas.
Replacements: Ieuan Davies, Joe Rees, Will Taylor, Morgan Allen, Gareth Davies, Steven Shingler, Scott Williams

England U20 v South Africa U20

England Under20s make their last trip to the tribal surroundings of Newell's Old Boys football club in Rosario tomorrow, Monday June 21, when they take on South Africa in the 3rd/4th play-off game of the IRB Junior World Championships.

The game gives the England coaching staff a chance to give game time to players who have been used scarcely throughout the tournament. Jonny May of Gloucester who came off the bench to score a last ditch try against Australia comes back in the centre to partner Tom Casson of Harlequins.

Marcus Watson (London Irish) also returns on the wing at the expense of the unlucky, rested Sam Smith (Harlequins) who also scored a try in the semi-final.

In the forwards Jamie Gibson (London Irish) who has two tries under his belt switches to Number 8 for the first time on this tour to accommodate the power of Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons) and skipper Jacob Rowan of Leeds Carnegie.

Head coach Mark Mapletoft recognises that this is an opportunity to end the tour with a smile after the semi-final loss to the junior Wallabies:

"This is a good chance for the whole squad to end the tour on a high. Personally I've never won a final game in the three years that I've been involved with England Under20s, so that goes for the management team as well. It's a great opportunity for all of us involved to finish the tournament on a positive note."

We've looked at all the South African games. They've clearly had a change of emphasis from last year and previous years. They are very comfortable ball-in-hand, they've got some exciting runners and they combine ambition with some traditional South African forward play which we will need to combat to ensure we maintain dominance throughout the game."

IRB JWC, 3rd/4th Play-off
Stadio Coloso de Parque, Rosario
Monday June 21

England U20
15. Tom Homer (London Irish)
14. Christian Wade (London Wasps)
13. Jonny May (Gloucester)
12. Tom Casson (Harlequins)
11. Marcus Watson (London Irish)
10. Freddie Burns (Gloucester)
9. Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Mako Vunipola (Bristol)
4. Calum Green (Leicester Tigers)
5. George Kruis (Saracens)
6. Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons)
7. Jacob Rowan (Leeds Carnegie, captain)
8. Jamie Gibson (London Irish)

Replacements
16. Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
17. Shaun Knight (Gloucester)
18. Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
19. Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons)
20. Charlie Davies (Stade Francais)
21. Rory Clegg (Harlequins)
22. Sam Smith (Harlequins)
 

Wales Under 20 lost to Argentina in an agonising penalty shoot-out at the IRB Junior World Championship 5th Place semi-final.

Phil Davies’ young guns were drawing 19-19 after 80 minutes, sending them into a sudden death period of extra time, and despite a number of drop goal attempts from both sides, neither Wales nor the tournament hosts were able break the deadlock and the game was decided on the first Junior World Championship penalty shoot-out.

Each side selected five players to take place kicks from different points on the 22 metre line – first directly in front of the posts, then to the left and right and back to the centre. After five kicks each, the sides were still level with five successful kicks each, Wales’ points coming from Ashley Beck, Kristian Phillips, Dan Fish, Rhys Downes and Matthew Jarvis.

The kicks then became sudden death and Blues and Pontypridd scrum half Rhys Downes was the first to miss. Argentina wing Fernando Luna converted his ensuing attempt, making the final score 9-8.

It was a game of cat and mouse throughout the match, with the sides never more than a score apart. Two penalties from Llanelli outside half Steven Shingler to one from Argentine scrum half Santiago Mendez kept Wales 6-3 ahead at half-time, and the pair also swapped penalties after the break.

Downes scored the only Welsh try of the match at 60 minutes, converted by Shingler, but the Pumitas were tenacious and, spurred on by a partisan crowd at Santa Fe, they quickly produced a try of their own through replacement prop Alexis Barone,  converted by Mendez.

With 10 minutes to go, outside half Ignacio Rodriguez Muedra leveled the scores at 16-16 and although replacement outside half Matthew Jarvis added one of his own, Muedra forced the game into extra time with a penalty in injury time.

Wales team manager Tony Clement said, “It is very disappointing, especially as we had chances to win the game in normal time. It was a very intense, territorial game and all credit to Argentina, they were very physical and prevented us from taking the game away from them.”

Wales will play Fiji on Monday in their final game of the tournament to decide who finishes 7th overall. They have already beaten Fiji in the Pool stages.

Wales U20 Scorers: Try: Rhys Downes; Con: Steven Shingler; Pens: Steven Shingler 4, Matthew Jarvis
Sudden death goals: Ashley Beck 2,  Kristian Phillips 2, Dan Fish 2, Rhys  Downes

Wales Under 20: Dan Fish; Kristian Phillips, Owen Williams (Ashley Beck 62), Scott Williams, Adam Hughes; Steven Shingler (Matthew Jarvis 74), Rhys Downes; Dan Watchurst (captain, Will Taylor 65), Ieuan Davies (Rhys Williams 49), Will Taylor (Joe Rees 49), Joel Galley (James Thomas 49), James King, Edward Siggery (Rhys Jenkins 69), Josh Navidi, Morgan Allen

England U20 16 Australia U20 28

England's bid for the IRB Junior World Championship title is over after they fell short in the semi finals against a classy Australia side in Rosario.

Harlequins wing Sam Smith scored the opening try and London Irish full back Tom Homer added two penalties as they chased the game going into the final quarter with Gloucester centre Jonny May grabbing a consolation score at the death.

But Australia had dominated territory throughout the game, threatened more with the ball in hand and finished impressively with wing Aidan Toua and full back Luke Morahan scoring their first half tries and centre Kimami Sitauti striking five minutes from time.

Fly half Matt To'omua stroked over three penalties and two conversions and the Wallabies march on to face New Zealand or South Africa in the final while England go into the bronze medal match on June 21.

Australia were liveliest in the opening 10 minutes, making the half-breaks that established an early platform before To'ouma opened the scoring.

But No.2 seeds England fought their way into the game as well as controlling set pieces and some surging forward play put them on top before the ball went wide for Smith to grab the opening try of the game and his first score of the tournament.

His opposite number Toua, meanwhile, has also been a threat all through the JWC and edged Australia back in front with To'ouma converting.

But despite Homer's first successful penalty pegging them back to 10-8, Australia exploited their attacking positions in the 10 minutes before the break to open up a 12 point lead.

Morahan's cut back to the line and To'ouma's assist gave them a second try and the Junior Wallabies came close to a a third before settling for To'ouma's second penalty.

England battled back after the interval, defended stoutly and their replacements all added value, Lee Imiolek making an impact in the tight and Freddie Burns lively at fly half.

A potentially try-scoring chip and chase from Burns was flapped away over the dead ball line - potentially a penalty try award - before Homer drilled over three more points to reduce the deficit.

But England just fell off too many tackles and conceded territory - To'ouma adding his third penalty - before coming again late in the game with Smith, Homer and Burns all lively.

They allowed Sitauti to get away for a score three minutes from time, though, before May responded by shrugging off tackles in the final move of the match.

England U20: Tom Homer (London Irish); Christian Wade (London Wasps), Andrew Forsyth (Leicester Tigers), Tom Casson (Harlequins), Sam Smith (Harlequins); Rory Clegg (Harlequins), Charlie Davies (Stade Francais); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Shaun Knight (Gloucester), Calum Green (Leicester Tigers), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Jamie Gibson (London Irish), Jacob Rowan (Leeds Carnegie, captain), Jackson Wray (Saracens).
Replacements: Arthur Ellis (London Wasps) for George 53, Lee Imiolek (Sale Sharks) for Marler 53, George Kruis (Saracens) for Welch 55-65, Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons) for Wray 50, Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers) for Davies 41, Freddie Burns (Gloucester) for Clegg 54, Jonny May (Gloucester) for Forsyth 41.
Scorers: Tries: Smith, May. Penalties: Homer 2.

Australia U20: Luke Morahan; Dominic Shipperley, Kimami Sitauti, Robbie Coleman, Aidan Toua; Matt To'omua, Nic White; Salesi Manu, Siliva Siliva, Paul Alo-Emile, Phoenix Battye, Greg Peterson, Ed Quirk, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz (captain).
Replacements: Sam Roberson, Cruz Ah-Nau, Luke Jones, Lochy McCaffery, Ian Prior, Jono Lance, Greg Jeloudev.
Scorers: Tries: Toua, Morahan, Sitauti. Conversions: To'ouma 2. Penalties: To'ouma 3.