New Zealand too good for Ireland as they finish third

NEW Zealand secured third place in the u20 rugby championship with victory over the Irish, after coming alive in the second half and scoring 31 unanswered points in half an hour.

- JAMES ORPIN

New Zealand captain Vernon Bason on his side’s victory said: “Today was a game we really wanted to get over and finish the best we can and finish as high as we can and hold our chins up at how well we have progressed through this tournament, and I think it showed out there on the field today.”

Irish captain reflected on his side’s defeat as he said: “We just didn’t come out in the second half and New Zealand were the hungrier team in the second half and that was the swing of the game.”

The Irish opened the scoring on the ten-minute mark as Oliver Coffey sniped from the breakdown to touch down, after continued Irish pressure on the New Zealand line.