Baby Blacks chalk up fourth straight title

IF we thought New Zealand were an intimidating prospect before, imagine them after four success U20 world titles.

Yesterday the Baby Blacks won their 20th consecutive match and have never lost in the U20 tournament’s short history.

Both sides scored three tries, but fly-half Gareth Anscombe converted all of New Zealand’s and kicked four penalties in a perfect goal-kicking effort to lead his side past England for the third time in the final.

England, the Six Nations Grand Slam winner, dominated the first quarter and scored the first try, but New Zealand rallied to lead 23-10 soon after half-time.

England closed to within 23-22 near the hour, but New Zealand’s defence tightened and full-back Beauden Barrett’s 74th-minute try secured the title.

Winger Christian Wade, despite stepping in touch, opened England’s account with the first of his pair in the left corner, then New Zealand had a try disallowed for stepping out following a video replay of winger Mitchell Scott’s effort at the opposite end.

After Anscombe’s first penalty, New Zealand went ahead in the 26th when it took advantage of an England injury with a quick throw-in and breakout from its 22, finishing with hooker Codie Taylor running in winger Charles Piutau.

Anscombe kicked another penalty from almost halfway, and just before the break, the New Zealand forwards bashed England’s in a series of rucks to power over prop Ben Tameifuna.

Another Anscombe long-range penalty after halftime made it 23-10, sparking England’s comeback. An overlap gave prop Henry Thomas a try, then Wade chased a grubber kick from Owen Farrell, dribbled it into the in-goal and twisted to touch down one-handed for his tournament-best seventh try. Fly-half George Ford missed the conversion to put England in front, but Anscombe didn’t miss his fourth penalty shot moments later. Barrett notched New Zealand’s third; Anscombe converted and was named man of the match.