PARIS - New Zealand were left to rue missed opportunities after losing the final of the under-19 rugby World Cup 18-22 to South Africa in Paris today.
"We created enough opportunities to win three games," New Zealand coach Aussie McLean lamented after the match played in front of about 10,000 spectatorsat Bondoufle.
"But we made a lot of mistakes. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. We create lot of opportunities with the way we play, but we just didn't finish."
Despite numerous clean breaks from their classy backs New Zealand led just 15-10 at the break.
South Africa scored the first try of the match to halfback Paul Delport to take an early 7-3 lead after Poverty Bay first five-eighth Miah Nikora had opened the scoring with a 40m penalty.
But that was the extent of South Africa's attack in the first half.
North Harbour wing Hosea Gear fended off his marker and stepped inside two defenders in a magical 20m run to the line to give New Zealand a 10-7 lead after 14 minutes.
And when they reinforced their domination with a try to Waikato blindside flanker Steven Setephano after 24 minutes the New Zealanders looked firmly in control.
But a South African penalty closed the gap just before halftime and as handling errors crept into New Zealand's game the match began to slip away.
While locks Kurtis Haiu and Issac Ross completely dominated South Africa in the lineouts in the first half, the second half was a different story.
New Zealand tried to run the ball instead of kicking for field position, while South Africa were content to nudge the ball into the corners and chase.
South African centre Earl Rose added another three penalties and first five-eighth Isam-eel Dollie kicked a late dropped goal to seal New Zealand's fate.
Gear was New Zealand's most dangerous attacker and constantly broke the first tackle, while loose forwards Liam Messam, Steven Setephano, and Tim Boys never stopped trying.
Hooker Chris Moke, Haiu, and Ross were the pick of a much-improved forward effort.
Earlier, France beat Argentina 45-24 in the playoff for third and fourth.
South Africa 22 (Paul Delport try; Earl Rose 4 pen, con, Isam-eel Dollie dropped goal) New Zealand 18 (Hosea Gear, Steven Setephano tries; Miah Nikora 2 pen, con). Halftime: 10-15.
