Kiwis regain U20 title with 10-try blitz

Reigning champions England crashed to a heavy defeat by the Baby Blacks in the final of the World Under-20 Championship in Tbilisi.

Ian Vass’s side, hoping to emulate their footballing counterparts by winning the world title, were dealt a 10-try drubbing by New Zealand in the Georgian capital.

England have a formidable record at this level – this was their fifth consecutive final – but were missing several players to injury and others who would have been eligible had they not been called up to the senior squad’s tour of Argentina. That list included Sale backrow twins Tom and Ben Curry, hooker Jack Singleton, lock Nick Isiekwe, scrum-half Jack Maunder and wing Joe Cokanasiga.

England, who have now played the Baby Blacks five times in the final of this tournament and are yet to record a win, were behind 40-7 at the break, having conceded six tries.

Openside flanker Dalton Papali’i, tighthead prop Pouri Raketestones, lock Isaia Walker-leawere and captain and blindside Luke Jacobson all touched down in the opening 40 minutes, while the dynamic hooker Asafo Aumua claimed a brace.

Fly-half Stephen Perofeta, who played for the Auckland Blues against the British and Irish Lions less than two weeks ago, contributed 10 first-half points.

England’s sole first-half try came from Saracens openside Ben Earl, which his club-mate Max Malins converted. New Zealand played at a breathless pace, with their first try coming after just four minutes when Papali’i crashed over the line.

Rakete-stones then powered over after nine minutes. Malins and Perofeta both missed with errant penalty kicks before England had their first try of the game via Earl on 18 minutes. But by the time Jacobson scored in the corner just before half-time, the Kiwis were in total control and on the way to a sixth world under-20 title.

Baby Black replacement back Josh Mckay and England’s replacement scrum-half Northampton’s Alex Mitchell scored tries in quick succession after the break before New Zealand dialled up the pace again through a third try from Aumua and another from replacement back-row Tom Christie.

Bath’s Josh Bayliss scored England’s third try at 72 minutes before Jacobson sealed his brace.