An injury time try to Manawatu lock Paul Rogers gave the New Zealand Youth rugby team a thrilling 29-26 win over British Columbia Under-21 at Brockton Oval, Vancouver.
After trailing 7-17 early, the Youth team rallied to lead 19-17 at halftime and managed to have the last say in a game
where fortunes fluctuated throughout the second half.
A heavy ground restricted the Youth team backs but the tourists still scored five tries to two.
Leading contributors to the victory were halfback Craig Donovan, fullback James Rosenberg, winger Wesley Webster and forwards Rogers, Jericho Umaga, Simon Hanlon, who captained the team, and Jeffrey Kerr.
The Youth team now fly to the United Kingdom for four matches in Ireland and two in Wales.
Scores:
NZ Youth 29 (Wesley Webster, Cameron Lang, Paul Tuuta, Craig Donovan, Paul Rogers tries; James Rosenberg 2 con) British Columbia Under-21 26 (Stu Morrison, David Biddle tries; Morrison 2 con, 4 pen). Halftime: 19-17.
- NZPA
