The latest rugby news headlines as Wales’ Under 20s World Championship campaign ends and the Lions win
Australia’s Head Coach head coach Joe Schmidt
These are your rugby headlines on Saturday, July 19.
Wales U20s floored by Italians
Wales U20s finished their U20s World Championship campaign with a disappointing 31-23 defeat to Italy.
Richard Whiffin’s side had high hopes for this competition after finishing the Six Nations with a stunning win over England but they have been bitterly disappointing with just one win against Spain to their name meaning they finish in eighth place.
They were highly competitive against Argentina and France but their inability to beat any of the tier one nations will come as a huge worry to the Welsh Rugby Union.
Wales started well enough through Harri Ford’s boot after Sergio Pelliccioli got shown a yellow card, while scrum-half Sion Davies scored a nice individual try, but they struggled with the size and physicality of the Italy pack which has been a common theme throughout the competition.
Wales No 8 Evan Minto then got sent to the sin bin before Italy’s Nelson Casartelli powered over from short range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
Italy then extended their lead when Federico Zanandrea finished off a nice team try.
Casartelli added another try from Italy just after the break after Wales lock Dan Gemine was shown a yellow card.
Ford and Francesco Braga exchanged penalties but Wales began to self-implode as replacement hooker Harry Thomas got sent to the sin bin for causing a scuffle before Minto got shown his second yellow card which equalled a red.
Braga knocked over the penalty but Italy also had their own disciplinary problems, with Nicola Bolognini and Giacomo Milano sent to the sin bin.
Wales finished on a high note when wing Aidan Boshoff scored at the corner but it was a case of too little too late.
Wallabies boosted by return of influential duo for second Lions Test
Australia boss Joe Schmidt confirmed key men Will Skelton and Rob Valetini will be available for the second Test after sitting out the Brisbane opener with calf injuries.
The Wallabies got badly outmuscled by the Lions in Brisbane as they slipped to a 27-19 defeat and the return of two heavy carrying forwards will greatly improve their chances of levelling the series in Melbourne.
“We fought our way back into the game. If we could get within one score, you never know what could have happened,” said Schmidt.
“I’m not saying the Lions didn’t deserve to win it because they did on the balance on what they did in the first half.
“I’m very proud of the way the players fought their way back.
“This time last year we would probably have melted, so I love the way this team is developing.”
Schmidt will undoubtedly make a whole host of changes for the second Test with Skelton and Valetini almost certain to start while explosive loosehead prop Angus Bell made a huge impact as a replacement in Brisbane.
Scrum-half Jake McDermott is another player who impressed off the bench and could be in line to start while there is also the option of bringing the experienced James O’Connor into the side.
All Blacks edge past resilient France
New Zealand were pushed all the way by a severely understrength France side before claiming a hard-fought 29-19 victory in Hamilton.
It took Scott Robertson’s side 59 minutes to edge ahead after France raced into a 19-17 half-time lead but a late try from replacement hooker Brodie McAlister saw the All Blacks secure a 3-0 series whitewash over the Six Nations champions.
The France pack were a handful to deal with and after a strong driving lineout scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec snipped over from short range.
But the All Blacks hit back with a cracking try from distance which was finished off by Will Jordan.
Le Garrec kicked another three penalties but All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown crossed at the stroke of half-time after a period of sustained pressure.
France didn’t score a point in the second-half but their defence was outstanding and frustrated the All Blacks until Du’Plessis Kirifi scored in the 59th minute.
And the hosts put the result beyond doubt when Jordie Barrett sliced through the France defence to put McAlister over for the decisive score.