New Zealand topple Pumitas in Under 20s Championship thriller

Los Pumitas were on the verge of making history this afternoon in Italy as the South Americans competed to a 32-29 loss against New Zealand at the World Cup Under 20s Championship. Tries to back-rower Benito Paolucci in the 70th and 75th minutes drew the scores level forcing New Zealand to land a late penalty to secure a narrow victory.

Played in Calvisano, Italy the second round match saw New Zealand topping the group with two bonus point victories. Backing-up from an impressive 68-10 opening round victory over Scotland New Zealand can now prepare for Ireland knowing it is well placed to win Group C.

The group deciding fixture will be played on Wednesday June 10 as will Argentina’s remaining match, against Scotland. Despite Scotland being well beaten by New Zealand the match against Los Pumitas is certain to be well-fought as the north-western Europeans played good rugby in losing 24-20 against Ireland today.

Los Pumitas will be hungry for a win and a consistent showing similar to that from the opening two matches will provide the South Americans’ with a strong chance of success. The narrow losses to date could have both been avoided, facts which underline the extent of progress that has been taking shape within Argentina in recent years.

Trailing 15-12 at half time Los Pumitas had an opportunity to push for a win. The contrasting style of play ,however, appeared to favor New Zealand as it was they who were able to take advantage of opposition errors and turn them into points. Indeed the New Zealanders were able to punish Argentine mistakes and score tries off them.

New Zealand’s skill-set and execution was also vital to the outcome of the match. Exceptional inter-play saw Luteru Laulala and Sean Wainui finishing off scores which serve as a reminder of the calibre of the All Blacks in not only senior, women’s and Sevens but also under 20 level rugby.

Emiliano Boffelli penalties and a Matías Ferro drop goal kept Argentina in check and when replacement pivot Domingo Miotti landed a 61st minute penalty the South Americans made it a 15-15 match. New Zealand quickly regained the lead as replacement Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi completed a team try two minutes later. It was followed by Akira Ioane scoring soon thereafter and with Otere Black converting both Argentina found itself 29-15 behind after 66 minutes.

In years gone by Los Pumitas would have been congratulated for holding on for as long as they did. Today, however, the South Americans fought back to score two tries in as may minutes from near-identical plays. On both occasions Argentina kicked for the corner and did so from well outside the opposition 22. From set-play Benito Paolucci finished off two rolling mauls to go over with Domingo Miotti adding the extras.

The 29-29 deadlock was broken with two minutes left as Argentina was deemed to have had a player in front of the ball-carrier who toughest a knock-on. New Zealand was thus given a difficult but kickable penalty attempt from wide on the left which Black landed to secure the three point win.  With it Argentina had lost it’s two opening round matches late in the piece due to penalties.

Scorers

For New Zealand:
Tries: Laulala, Wainui, Tahuriorangi, Ioane
Cons: Hunt, Black 2
Pens: Hunt, Black

For Argentina:
Tries: Paolucci 2
Cons: Miotti 2
Pens: Boffelli 3, Miotti
Drop: Ferro

New Zealand
1 Aidan Ross, 2 Steven Misa, 3 Isileli Tu’ungafasi, 4 James Blackwell, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 6 Mitchell Jacobson, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 8 Henry Stowers, 9 Harrison Levien, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 11 Vincent Tavae-Aso, 12 Tinoai Faiane, 13 Jack Goodhue (Captain), 14 Sean Wainui, 15 Luteru Laulala

16 Liam Polwart, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Atunaisa Moli, 19 Joshua Goodhue, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Tevita Li

Argentina
1 Nicolás Ocello, 2 Gaspar Baldunciel, 3 Eduardo Bello, 4 Ignacio Larrague, 5 Ignacio Calas, 6 Benito Paolucci, 7 José Deheza, 8 Santiago Portillo, 9 Patricio Baronio, 10 Ignacio Albornoz, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, (Captain), 13 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Eugenio Achilli, 15 Matías Ferro

16 Santiago Medrano, 17 Javier Díaz, 18 Ignacio Calles, 19 Vittorio Rosti, 20 Lucas Gasparri, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Tomás Granella