Ireland secured top spot in Pool B of the World Rugby U20 Championship after showing incredible character to beat Fiji on the back of an awful few days.
The Irish came into Tuesday’s fixture after the shock news of the death of Greig Oliver, the father of U20 player, Jack, but somehow put in a performance.
Ireland had also been hit by the deaths of Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, who were known to the players, on the Greek island of Ios over the weekend.
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The 47-27 win secures them a semi-final game against South Africa, who topped Pool C, with the knockout action set to take place on Sunday in South Africa.
Holders France go into the semis as top seeds after a 43-19 victory over Wales saw them top Pool A with the only perfect record in this year’s tournament.
France’s reward is a clash with England, who edged New Zealand on points difference to seal the best runner-up spot after both ended on 10 table points.
Georgia see off Italy to progress
Georgia are guaranteed their highest-ever finish in the World Rugby U20 Championship after they opened the round with a 30-17 triumph against Italy.
Three of their four tries were scored by hookers and a dominant performance by the forwards as a whole means they avoid the relegation play-offs and better their previous best position of ninth, set in 2018.
Georgia’s tries came via Nika Lomidze, Basa Khonelidze (2), Tamaz Tchamiashvili in a bonus-point win that sparked celebratory scenes at full-time.
Lorenzo Casilio and Marcos Gallorini crossed for the Azzurrini, who finish the pool stages in fourth spot after one victory out of their three matches.
Emotional victory for Ireland
Given the emotional turmoil Ireland’s squad will have gone through over the past few days, they can look back on the 47-27 success as a job well done.
Ireland had the bonus point in the bag just after the half-hour mark thanks to a brace from number eight Brian Gleeson and other close-range scores from fellow members of the pack, Danny Sheahan and George Hadden.
Their other tries came via Gus McCarthy (2) and Andrew Osborne in an impressive win under the circumstances.
Fiji’s crossings came from Moses McGoon, Isaiah Ravula, Moti Murray, Pateresio Finau and Frank Ralogaivau as they finish in last place in Pool B.
Australia fight back against England
Australia denied England the bonus-point win they needed to finish top of Pool B, but the latter did progress to the semi-finals on points difference.
Australia needed a maximum to be in with a chance of going through and they were still in the hunt for it when replacement centre Harry McLaughlin-Phillips powered over for their third try two minutes from time. But fly-half Jack Bowen was unable to add the conversion and further attacks from the Junior Wallabies in the final minute went unrewarded.
England also missed out on a try bonus-point and had to settle for a second draw in the tournament – after drawing 34-34 with Ireland on day one – having lost their shape after hooker Nathan Jibulu powered over for their third try in the 43rd minute.
The 22-22 result saw Charlie Bracken and Cassius Cleaves also cross, with Leafi Talataina, Max Craig and McLaughlin-Phillips Australia’s try-scorers.
New Zealand miss out on semi-finals
New Zealand needed to beat Japan with a bonus point and a margin of 67 points to have any hope of qualifying for the semis, but could only win 62-19.
Isaac Hutchinson, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Macca Springer (2), Malachi Wrampling and Taha Kemara tries sent New Zealand into the break leading 38-12.
Kemara, Springer, Cooper Flanders and Will Stodart went over in the second period but it wasn’t enough for the Baby Blacks, who miss out on the semi-finals.
Japan’s try scorers in defeat were Ryohei Imano, Takashi Omoto and Kouta Nagashima as they finish the group stages bottom of Pool A after three losses.
A hat trick performance for the @NZRugby winger 🇳🇿
Macca Springer is the @Mastercard Player of the Match#Priceless #POTM #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/caHeDCjNcX
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 4, 2023
Holders France cruise into the final four
Defending champions France moved smoothly into the semi-finals with a dominant six-try 43-19 victory over plucky Wales at the Athlone Sports Stadium.
France needed only a draw to make sure that they finished top of Pool A but there was never any hint of them settling for that route to the last four as they eased to a third straight bonus-point win.
Their tries came via Nicolas Depoortere (2), Clément Mondinant, Léo Carbonneau, Lino Julien and Mael Moustin as they cruised to a bonus-point success.
Seb Driscoll, Tom Florence and Harri Houston went over for Wales, who finish behind France and New Zealand in Pool A, with just one win on the board.
South Africa edge Argentina to top Pool C
South Africa came from behind to seal a 24-16 victory over Argentina that secured them top spot in Pool C, edging Georgia to a place in the semi-finals.
Both teams needed to win, Argentina with a bonus point, to go above Georgia at the top of Pool C and book the last remaining place in the last-four.
Argentina started the match well thanks to three Valentino Dicapua penalties before South Africa hooker Juann Else went over for a close-range try.
Prop Renzo Zanella did cross for Argentina before the turnaround to give them a 16-7 lead, but that was as good as things got for the South Americans.
A Jean Smith penalty reduced the gap for South Africa before two tries from Corne Beets sealed the victory that booked South Africa’s last-four spot.
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