Prolific: Magpie Tiaan Falcon continues to enhance his points scoring machine reputation in Georgia. Photo/File
Prolific: Magpie Tiaan Falcon continues to enhance his points scoring machine reputation in Georgia. Photo/File
Hawke's Bay rugby first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon scored 19 points as New Zealand completed an unbeaten run in pool play with a 69-3 thrashing of Ireland at the Under-20 World Championship in Georgia yesterday.
Magpie Falcon scored a try and converted seven of the 11 tries which were scored bythe Craig Philpott-coached Baby Blacks. With this win the New Zealanders booked a semifinal against France which will be played at 4.30am (NZT) on Wednesday. England and South Africa will meet in the other semifinal which will be played as a curtainraiser.
Hawke's Bay prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, who took the field as a substitute, stole the limelight with a try-saving tackle late in the game. However, the hattricks scored by winger Caleb Clarke and fullback Will Jordan dominated the post-game reviews.
These were an indication the Baby Blacks are peaking at the right time. It also reflected how keen Philpott's troops were to gain revenge for last year's pool game loss to Ireland which was a significant factor in the Baby Blacks' fifth placing.
Even when the New Zealanders were playing with 13 players after locks Isaia Walker-Leawere and Sam Caird were sinbinned in the 53rd and 57th minutes respectively the Irish were unable to score a try. Clarke, a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, scored one of his three tries when the Baby Blacks had 13 players on the field.
New Zealand led 31-3 at halftime and scored again two minutes into the second half through flanker Tom Christie. Ireland were stretched time and time again as the Baby Blacks continued to win plenty of turnover ball.
Hooker Asafo Aumua again impressed with his levels of intent while lock Isaia Walker Leawere produced numerous offloads which helped to split the defence. This created plenty of space for midfielders Orbyn Leger and Braydon Ennor who provided quality ball for the likes of Clarke and Jordan.
"We gutsed it out on defence and came out on attack to show a bit of razzle," delighted Baby Blacks captain and No 8 Luke Jacobson said afterwards.
