New Zealand will face South Africa on Saturday the IRB under-19 rugby World Championship final.
New Zealand scored three tries in a powerful first-half performance against Wales at Ravenhill, Belfast, to go into the break 23-9 ahead. Despite a much-improved performance in the second half, Wales were unable to breach the New Zealand try line and it was Winston Stanley who sealed New Zealand’s 36-12 victory with a try late on.
Henri Bantjes and Wilton Pietersen scored first-half tries for South Africa, who established a 15-3 lead at half-time over Australia in the first semifinal at Ravenhill. In an entertaining second period, both sides scored three tries as South Africa defeated the defending champions 32-18.
Arthur Joly, Charles Gimenez and Cédric Coll each scored tries for France, who defeated Samoa 25-13 at Belfast Harlequins. France will play England for fifth place after the latter defeated Argentina for the second time in the tournament, this time 31-13 at Shaw’s Bridge.
Scotland will have the opportunity to gain revenge over Ireland when the two meet at Ravenhill for ninth place. Scotland, who lost out to the hosts in the final seconds of their pool game, were 7-6 down at half-time against Fiji, but Lee Jones’s second-half try was enough to secure an 11-7 win. — Sapa