Rugby: Bay prop shines with impact before injury strikes at U20 World Championship

BAD SPRAIN: Tim Farrell impressed off the pine for the Bay Blacks before injury struck. Photo/File

An impressive stint off the subs bench by Hawke's Bay rugby prop Tim Farrell was a feature of the Baby Blacks' win over Scotland at the Under 20 World Championship in Georgia on Wednesday night.

Farrell, 18, who will be eligible for the Baby Blacks again next year, took the field in the 61st minute and impressed with his scrummaging and maul play. In the 64th minute, he stole a turnover when a Scottish opponent was attempting a squeeze ball manoeuvre.

In the 73rd minute, though, Farrell was forced from the field with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He told his father, former Magpies prop John Farrell, x-rays revealed it was only a bad sprain and he was awaiting further assessment.

He was one of three Bay players to play in the Baby Blacks' opener. Magpie Tiaan Falcon started at first five-eighth and succeeded with five of his eight attempts at goal.

Apart from one wayward kick and one bad option, Falcon was classy in general play and produced an accurate cross kick which allowed powerful Tasman winger Tima Faingaanuku to complete his hat-trick of tries seconds from the final whistle.

Magpies No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u took the field as a 57th minute replacement. He was a busy defender and thirsty for work on attack - proof he is well and truly over the injuries which nagged him during the Oceania tournament.

"We are really happy to come out with this first win and to get the bonus point. We learnt from last year how important bonus points are in this tournament," New Zealand captain and No 8 Luke Jacobson said.

"I was pleased with the way we attacked them in their half and put them under a lot of pressure. A key work-on for us will be discipline. We gave away far too many penalties which put us under the pump and they got a few good lineout drives on us, too,

Another work-on for the Craig Philpott-coached team will be to increase the patience levels.

"I'm really proud of the boys. I think we showed a really spirited performance and that we are ready to compete at this level. I think a lot of people wrote us off before the game, but we were right up there for 50 minutes," Scotland captain Callum Hunter-Hill said. "We just need to be clinical and composed when we get opportunities and put in a complete 80-minute performance."

The other pool B match saw Italy, who the Baby Blacks meet on Sunday night, upset Ireland 22-21. In pool A England walloped the ex-Magpie Mo Schwalger-coached Samoa team 74-17 and Australia beat Wales 24-17.

Pool C battles saw South Africa and France draw 22-all and Argentina beat Wales 24-17.

Scorers:
New Zealand 42 (Tima Faingaanuku 3, Dalton Papali'i, Orbyn Leger, Asafo Aumua tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 cons, 2 pens), Scotland 20 (Darcy Graham, Fraser Renwick, Josh Henderson tries; Henderson con; Connor Eastgate pen). HT: 19-10.