Rugby: Hot boot kicks NZ U-20s into final

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

First five-eighths Gareth Anscombe has delivered another assured performance to steer New Zealand into the final of the under-20 world rugby championship in Italy.

Their 37-7 victory over Australia yesterday set up a final on Monday morning (NZT) against England, who beat France 33-18 in the other semifinal.

Anscombe, who controlled play with authority, scored one of New Zealand's four tries and added 17 points with the boot via three penalties and four conversions.

The New Zealanders, who stretched their championship unbeaten streak to 19 matches, are now one win away from securing the title for the fourth successive time.

Aucklander Anscombe lifted his tournament points haul to 68, ahead of South Africa's Johan Goosen, who is next best with 55.

"Gareth is playing well. It is what you need, to convert pressure into points, which is what we did today," skipper Luke Whitelock said.

"The Australians came out tough, scored an early try and had a lot of the ball. We had to work hard but our defence shaped up and we gained a bit more momentum in the second half."

The New Zealanders delivered a fiery haka in front of an appreciative, big crowd at Treviso's Stadio Comunale di Monigo but took a less dramatic approach in the first half as they opted to grind down Australia by keeping the ball tight.

Australia, who lost last year's final 17-62 to New Zealand in Argentina, chose to send the ball wide at every opportunity and that approach paid off in the 13th minute.

The Australian forwards pinned New Zealand deep in defence with a series of rucks before swiftly moving the ball wide where right wing Chris Nasiganiyavi darted through a hole to dot down for first five-eighths Ben Volavola to convert.

There was no sign of panic, though, from the New Zealanders, who stuck to their low-risk gameplan despite having the backline strikepower of players such as Beauden Barrett, Francis Saili, Glen Robertson, Lima Sopoaga, Charles Piutau and Anscombe.

New Zealand broke a brave Australian defence in the 17th minute when halfback TJ Perenara set his backline off with a quick pass from a midfield ruck. With fullback Barrett chiming in, Australia were caught short and wing Saili crunched through for a try which Anscombe converted.

Anscombe then landed two penalties to give New Zealand a 13-7 lead at halftime.

Number eight Whitelock was outstanding in keeping the forwards organised but it was Anscombe who gave his team momentum throughout the 80 minutes with his calm decision-making and accurate boot.

After Whitelock had set up wing Piutau for the opening try of the second half, Anscombe slotted a penalty and then pounced on an error by Volavola to score a simple try which he also converted.

With Australia looking unlikely to stage a comeback, coach Mark Anscombe rang the changes, giving substitute halfback Mitchell Scott an opportunity to score the side's fourth and final converted try with three minutes remaining.

- NZPA