Ireland Under-20s hammered by nine-try New Zealand

New Zealand 65 Ireland 10

Although they never let their heads drop, the Ireland Under-20s simply had no answer to the pace and power of New Zealand in the sides' pool game at the IRB Junior World Championship in Cardiff tonight.

The Baby Blacks ran out 65-10 winners as they continued their quest for back-to-back World titles.

The victory sets up an exciting final round in Pool A with New Zealand and Argentina set to go head-to-head for a place in the semi-finals.

Though Ireland got off to a good start with a fine break from Niall Morris and an early penalty from Ian Porter, New Zealand were always in control as they combined slick passing and offloading out wide with an abrasive work ethic up front to romp to a comfortable win.

Trent Renata's first penalty set New Zealand on their way and the highly-rated Kade Poki used his electric pace to nab the game's first try minutes later.

Centres Jackson Willison and Ryan Crotty were finding plenty of holes in Ireland's defence as the New Zealanders attacked at every opportunity and another Renata penalty gave the tournament favourites a strong advantage.

New Zealand showed they have as much power as they have pace when hooker Quentin MacDonald was at the end of a superb driving maul and his team kept the scores coming thick and fast with further first half tries from Luke Braid and Sean Maitland.

Ireland, who trailed by 34-3 at the break, displayed more intensity on the restart as they held plenty of possession early in the second half.

But when Poki slid over for his second try, the game well and truly over as a contest.

Another perfect kick through from Maitland put Grayson Hart over as the scores racked up.

Eric Elwood's Irish side never gave up and they finally breached the New Zealand line when number 8 Patrick Mallon barged his way over with Porter converting to give his side a healthier return on the scoreboard.

However, New Zealand had the last say when replacement winger Andre Taylor, who came on for Poki, ran in three brilliant late tries to push the Baby Blacks well past the 50-point barrier.

Scorers: New Zealand: Tries: Kade Poki 2, Quentin MacDonald, Luke Braid, Sean Maitland, Grayson Hart, Andre Taylor 3; Cons: Trent Renata 5, Daniel Kirkpatrick 2; Pens: Trent Renata 2

Ireland: Try: Patrick Mallon; Con: Ian Porter; Pen: Ian Porter