SCOTLAND produced a fighting and at times uplifting performance against New Zealand in the second round of the World Rugby Junior Championship at the Aia Arena in Kutaisi, Georgia, only to fall short against a sharp ‘Baby Blacks’ side that took its chances well and which had several stardust players to make that possible.
But given some of the heavy defeats that Scotland have suffered against New Zealand in past tournaments at this level, there has to be a recognition that this bonus-point display by the young Scots, albeit flawed in some respects, represents a big step forward.
Scotland’s bonus point came from scoring four tries, three of them by the forwards through the driven line-out and the fourth from a maul that was initially stopped, in contrast to the Scots’ first round victory over Italy when all their tries were claimed by the backs.
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Speaking at the post match press conference, Scotland’s head coach Fergus Pringle praised his charges for their sustained competitiveness, saying: “I just thought the effort in the fight was outstanding: the boys really dug in and gave everything”.
But a realist rather than a senitmentalist, Pringle acknowledged certain imperfections in his side’s performance. “We just have to be able to be more clinical.” he added. “We can’t afford the mistakes that we had. But these are going to happen – that’s learning. The boys will make mistakes when they’re having a go.
“I thought the effort was outstanding in the fight. I thought that this was characterised by the last play of the game. They managed to get a strong penalty and they managed to go to the corner and score. We just needed to get a few more entries into their 22.”
A number of handling errors or failure to hold on to the ball were undoubtedly attributable to the very warm conditions that necessitated an elongated half time and sufficient water breaks in each half. But as Pringle rightly pointed out: “It was the same for both teams”.
Scotland should go into their next and final pool mach against Japan next Tuesday confident following such a strong display in the forward play against the Baby Blacks. Moreover other than slight concerns over co-captain Ross Wolfenden it should be a mainly undamaged squad for the Japan encounter.
Having played well in defence for most of the first quarter, and having threatened in attack, Scotland were hit by an 18th minute try from New Zealand, ironically from the Dundee-born former Strathallan School pupil Logan Williams, who was in the Scotland U18 squad two years ago, following an ill-judged pass, after a free-kick by Asa Stewart Harris that left Jake Dalziel an all too easy target for the New Zealand rush defence.
When the ball went loose after the inevitable hit, Williams applied the boot before using his pace to win the race for the touchdown. Stand-off Mika Muliaina supplied the extras to this opening score and then added further points with a penalty goal just prior to the first water break.
Scotland had a chance to open up the New Zealand defence from an interception by Dalziel only for the ball to be turned over at the contact point. Then, when New Zealand moved the ball wide, their pocket rocket wing Kele Lasaqa used his pace and exceptional footwork to escape down the right touchline. Full-back Rory McHaffie managed to track down the Bay of Plenty paceman but the New Zealand flier was still able to off-load to the supporting Cohen Norrie for the Baby Blacks’ second try, Muliaina again successful with the conversion kick to put his side into a 17-0 lead.
Scotland desperately needed points and duly delivered just before the break from a driving maul that created a try for Harvey Preston. From the touchline, Dalziel added the conversion points to make the 17-7 interval score, which was a much fairer reflection of the first half.
If hopes had been high that Scotland could carry their pre-break form into the second half then these were immediately dashed just seconds after the restart A clever kick-off from Muliaina caused Scotland indecision at reception time giving New Zealand quick possession. The arch playmaker Muliaina then threaded the ball through the Scotland defence with a pin-point accurate grubber kick and when the bounce sat up perfectly for Norrie, the full-back sailed over for his second try.
Scotland replied with an excellent 50-22 by Dalziel that gave his team a five meter line-out from which they muscled over for a second driving maul score finished off by skipper Roberts and converted by Dalziel.
Then, when Norrie sliced through midfield before laying on the bonus-point try for centre Siale Pahulu, New Zealand were worryingly 29-14 ahead.
But again Scotland’s forwards came up with an answer and once more it was the driving maul creating a second try for co-captain Joe Roberts and a confidence lift for the men in mauve.
It looked as though Scotland would score their bonus point try when Dan Kelly beat the New Zealand defence on the right flank ,but the winger’s attempted off-load out of the tackle just failed to find the supporting Wolfenden and the chance was gone.
It was enough to concentrate New Zealand minds, the Baby Blacks powering back into the game, driving a line-out and then five phases later scoring through replacement second-row John Falloon, Muliaina converting to increase the New Zealand lead to 36-19.
In a desperate finish for Scotland, Dalziel kicked a penalty to the corner allowing the Scots to drive the ensuing line-out. New Zealand initially thwarted the assault but several phases later replacement scrum-half Matthew Fick released the ball wide with a long pass. Williams tried to intercept but ended up deflecting it into the hands of Kelly who had only to dive over in the corner for a deserved bonus-point try for Scotland.
From wide out Dalziel completed his considerable goal kicking contribution with his third conversion to leave the Scots disappointed but satisfied at securing the critical bonus pointm and crucially with a degree of confidence going into their final group game against Japan next Tuesday.
Teams –
New Zealand: C Norrie; K Lasaqa, S Pahulu (L Williams 11-23), H Wiseman, D Lawai (L Williams 59); M Muliaina, C Linton (J Hughan 79); H Stuart (D Johnston 61), J Findlay (A Fakava 70), E Webber (A Hewitt 61), Max Fale (J Falloon 54), J Frost, B Tocker, C Woodley, P Mauna (Micah Fale 45).
Scotland: R McHaffie (C Waugh 67); D Kelly, H Kesterton, A Bryden (R Wolfenden 42), N Moncrieff; J Dalziel, A Stewart-Harris (M Fick 60); O McKenna (W Pearce 55), J Roberts (J McAughtrie 58), O Blyth-Lafferty (J Rennie 57), A Blackett (S Byrd 42), D Halkon, C Lindsay, J Utterson (O Finlayson-Russel 9-21) , H Preston (J Roberts 60).
Referee: Gonzalo de Achaval (UAR)
Scorers –
New Zealand: Tries Williams, Norrie 2, Pahulu, Falloon; Cons: Muliaina 4; Pens: Muliaina.
Scotland: Tries: Preston, Roberts 2, Kelly; Cons Dalziel 3.
Scoring Sequence (New Zealand first): 5-0; 7-0; 10-0; 15-0; 17-0; 17-5; 17-7 (h-t) 22-7; 24-7; 22-12; 22-14; 27-14; 29-14; 29-19; 34-19; 36-19; 36-24; 36-26.
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I hear Ross Wolfenden on his way home with injury. That follows Harry Jackaman. These young men give their all. A couple of players have done well getting back from long term injury (including surgeries) so they should be applauded for their hard work and well done SRU medics. These boys want to achieve success so let’s get behind them for the Japan game.
I can’t remember the last time I saw an All Black pack pushed backwards by a Scottish pack. That said the AB backs were very punchy. Great to get the BP though 👏🏻
Not to mention a couple of daft 5 pointers given to NZ, yes, a great performance. A joy to watch the U20 matches whatever nation is playing; though unfortunately a few one-sided games but always going to get them regardless of the sport
A lot to like again in that performance. Pack outpowered NZ at the scrum, showed excellent technique in attack and defence at maul, and matched NZ at breakdown. The one area of weakness in the forwards was the lineout, which technically didn’t seem to work. Backs were much quieter than against Italy, and there were a lot of spilled balls – initially NZ backs struggled as well, before they came on to a game. Suggestion the ball was very moist due to heat, but I actually think both sides were very aggressive in defence and the both played right on the offside line, and Scotland struggled to break through that NZ defence. The three forwards who played 80 minutes – Roberts, Halkon and Lindsay – have big futures. Kesterton and Dalziel had good moments again, while struggling at other points. 80 minutes against Junior All Blacks will do them all good. IF we can beat Japan we should secure a place in the 5th-8th play offs which would be remarkable considering where we have been in recent years.
Pretty balanced summary David. If the ball had fallen differently, if the knock on by the Dalziel tackler prior to Williams try had been spotted, if the referee had gripped the scrum more efficiently (30mins for the first scrum penalty) and if our error count had been less, we just might have won that game. The heat was tough for both sides.
We now need to focus on the Japan game and get a win which would be fabulous.
The standard throughout the teams is of a really high quality In our case we held the NZ team but did not have the firepower today in our backs to make a real impact. I am impressed with the commitment from all the teams and looking to the future many countries have real stars in the making.
Alan, as always a veery accurate report to TOL.
Just watched the highlights and whilst we did well up front our handling and distribution and general back play was well behind the AB;s standard. They looked very slick with ball in hand and had a few real flashy runners. We looked a bit cumbersome in comparison and also gifted them a couple of tries with poor handling so you could say it might have been closer. Should be able to take care of Japan next game up.