Australia finishes fourth at IRB Junior World Championships
June 21, 2009 - 9:23pm
Story by: ARU
Australia has finished fourth at the IRB Junior World Championships in Japan after going down 32-5 to South Africa in the third place playoff at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Stadium today.
New Zealand won the overall title, beating England 44-28 in the final.
Conditions were heavy underfoot on the last day of competition following heavy rain in the Japanese capital.
After topping Pool D undefeated, Australia lost to the Baby All Blacks in the semi finals and this afternoon were outscored four tries to one by an impressive South African outfit.
South Africa led 15-0 after just 10 minutes before the Australians hit back with their only try to loose head prop Albert Anae.
A penalty goal to the South Africans rounded out the first half scoring, sending them to the break with an 18-5 lead.
Two converted tries to South Africa provided the only points of the second half.
SOUTH AFRICA 32 (Lionel Cronje 2, Gerhard van Heever, Nicolaas Hanekom tries; Francois Brummer 3 cons, 2 pen goals) def AUSTRALIA 5 (Albert Anae try).
Australia’s results for the tournament were as follows:
Pool D
Australia 86 Canada 0
Australia 40 Tonga 6
Australia 38 Wales 5
Semi Final
New Zealand 31 Australia 17
Third Place Playoff
South Africa 32 Australia 5
Tournament Final
New Zealand 44 England 28
IRB Junior World Player of the Year
Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
