Rugby: Baby Blacks run riot against Aussies

Tiaan Falcon again enhanced his chances of selection for the World Championship. Photo/File

If Australian rugby administrators are concerned about the gap between their Super teams and New Zealand's they should take a look at the gap at under-20 level.

It's just as bad. The Baby Blacks, who are coached by Magpies mentor Craig Philpott, walloped their Aussie counterparts 43-6 in the final of the Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The Aussies couldn't handle the Kiwis' tempo. The victory took New Zealand's tally to 186 points from three games and will lift the Baby Blacks confidence levels in the countdown to the World Championship which starts in Georgia later this month. However, there is still plenty for the team to work on.

Their passing was often shoddy and their scrum was pressured more than they would have liked. Philpott said catching was more the issue than the passing when the ball was dropped.

"As for the scrummaging we have got a bit of work to do there. We took three tighthead props to the tournament and they all had a crack."

"I was thrilled with our defence. To keep them tryless was a big achievement."

Magpies utility back Tiaan Falcon impressed with his control and distribution from first five-eighth for the entire game. He also succeeded with six of his seven attempts at goal to finish with 13 points from five conversions and a penalty.

Hawke's Bay age group representative Pouri Rakete-Stones played the first 51 minutes at tighthead prop. Captain and No8 Luke Jacobson was outstanding and deserved his two tries.

Second five-eighth Orbyn Leger won the player-of-the-match award. The 28-man Baby Blacks team for the World Championship will be announced tomorrow.

Samoa beat Fiji 39-29 to secure third place.

■Scorers: New Zealand 43 (Luke Jacobson 2, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Will Jordan, Tamati Tua, Tom Christie tries; Tiaan Falcon 5 cons, pen) Australia 6 (Harry Nucifora 2 pen) HT: 29-6.