The Junior Wallabies have snuck past hosts Argentina at the Under 20 World Championship in a thrilling semi-final that featured delays, a red card and a penalty try to book their ticket to the final.
The Australians put in one the performances of the tournament, playing the entire second half with just 14 men after halfback Michael McDonald was sent off at the end of the opening stanza for a high tackle, his second yellow card of the first 40 minutes.
With a lightning delay before the game and heavy rainfall threatening to derail the match before it even started, it was the Wallabies who got off to the better start.
Flyhalf Ben Donaldson was a late addition to the run on side after a head knock in their final pool match against England ruled out Will Harrison. He got off to the right start, slotting the opening points of the game with an 11th-minute penalty goal.
Just nine minutes later McDonald got his first taste of the cheddar, spectacularly flipping Argentine Manuel Bernstein in a nasty tackle, sending the big man to an awkward landing on the top of his shoulders, only avoiding a straight red after the referee deemed Bernstein to have jumped into the tackle.
Joaquin de la Vega Mendia slotted the ensuing penalty goal to even things up.
Flanker Harry Wilson was quick to make sure the one-man advantage didn’t cost them, crashing over with some beautiful support play up the middle to re-take the lead, before Mendia sunk a second penalty goal before McDonald returned to the field.
Continuing to dominate the first half spectacle, McDonald crossed for the Wallabies’ second try of the game after coming back on, but quickly turned villain once again just before the halftime break.
With barely a minute on the clock, the number 9 was shown his second yellow for a high tackle on the left edge that prevented a near-certain try for the home side, resulting in a red card and a penalty try to bring the score back to 17-13 at the break.
It was all the Wallabies in the second half despite the numerical disadvantage. They opted to play without a winger as they kept the Argentinians scoreless in the second stanza, a superb try-saving tackle from Isaac Lucas preventing the hosts’ only notable chance.
Lachlan Lonergan and Donaldson both crossed the line to break the game open and take the contest away from the opposition. A second penalty goal for the match to Donaldson was the only other scoring play of the second 40 minutes, the Junior Wallabies running away 34-13 winners.
It marks just the second time in the history of the competition that Australia has made the final. They now prepare to take on defending champions France on Sunday morning at 4:20am (AEST).
FunBus
Roar Rookie
So, Wilson 'the 6' is the best in his position at U-20 level? He must be some player seeing as the England 6, Ted Hill, came off the bench for England against the Wallabies last November.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
What? Nuthing?
jeznez
Roar Guru
They put a full list on the RA site. . Just about all contracted or at least in a program. . https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/05/05/junior-wallabies-backgrounder
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
And the SA-France game was just as bad. Forwards constantly standing nearly a metre in front of the last foot at every scrum. Not just an impression - hit the pause button a few times to check, it was blatant and repeated by both sides. And staring the refs in the face. I’m all for good defence winning games, but let’s make it a bit more challenging please, if we care about rugby competing as a spectacle.
jeznez
Roar Guru
6 is Harry Wilson. I really like the look of him as well. Just worry whether he has the pace/acceleration to continue to step up. 12 is Noah Lolesio, Brumbies potential 10 candidate for them.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Absolutely ridiculous red card. The first yellow was caused by the player jumping up into the tackle, no malice whatsoever. But some head high tackles in this tournament get a penalty only. The second yellow for a tackle that wasn’t head high but then he wrapped his arm over the shoulder adjacent to the neck to try to stop the try. No force. Referees need to exercise some judgment. At the same time Argentina was offside at the ruck for the entire first half. Hardly a single offside penalty throughout the game. The flat offside line is one of rugby’s greatest obstacles in encouraging a more open spectacle- not suggesting changing it a la rugby league, but surely it should be a paramount objective of refereeing to enforce it strictly. Instead refs are far more intent on detecting possible scrum infringements that are meaningless in the sense of real competition- most of them from players being overpowered- why reward that with a penalty- you don’t get a penalty for winning a lineout.
dazell
Roar Rookie
Not sure of their names but the 6 and 12 (Alessio?) really stood out for me.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Is Wilson that powerful a runner? He tends to win contact but still go to ground in the pieces I've seen of him. Good for hitting the gainline and should be able to generate quick recycle but isn't a player I've seen actually breaking the line much. He does have a good offload though and as we saw for the try off Lonergan runs a good support line. Salakaia-Loto has been the primary metre maker in the Reds pack and with Higginbotham who was the second most effective leaving I think it furthers the case that Lukhan needs to be somewhere in the starting pack - whether that is in the loose or at lock.
Rugby wizard
Guest
4.Rodda 5.Hockings 6.Wright 7.Mcreight 8.Wilsen Reserves Wood and Tui both can cover lock and 6 and 8,I salakai Loto at 8 starting is worth a try. AYS misses out which is a shame I really rate him but Reds need punch.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Completely agree. The pair of them look 10. Asy was too quiet this year
Don
Roar Rookie
McReight played a few games at Centre when he was a 15 year old playing first XV at Grammar but by the end of that year he ended up in the back row. He’d always played 8 as a junior but was picked at 7 for QLD schools in year 11.
Charlie Turner
Guest
RW, so you're saying McReight will take the open side which would force Wright who is a better player than ASY to 6 or 8. I agree he's making ground in the U20's just wonder if he can take it to the next level with equal effect.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I know Sheek. One of my kids used to play club footy against Ben Donno, maybe Will Harrison too, not sure.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah I think the no.4 (Wood I think) was better. Frost didn't play long enough to compare. The 5 was good too though.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Really?
Charlie Turner
Guest
Gill will have to wait until Thorn leaves if he want to play for the Reds.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Wasn't it Ken. Watched the game last night with one of my sons and he suggested Cheika sit the WB's down and get them to watch that second half. Attitude, organised defence with a man down, kick chase and smarts. That was a very impressive performance. Put a skip in my step for the future of Aus rugby. Well done lads, you should be very proud of yourselves and we'll be there with you in spirit come Sunday
terrykidd
Roar Pro
ala Sanchez and the Hooper back hand slap ..... Sanchez went down like he had been shot but miraculously recovered as soon as the penalty is given .... and that brought the Wallabies back from a potential try score play.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
That high tackle was a very tough call. Initially both arms were below shoulder height. the right arm around the back does slip up after contact to the base of the back of the neck. There was no force whatsoever. I thought it was a brilliant ball and all tackle. I understand what the rule states but gee the ref has got to be allowed some discretion.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
There’s some good talent coming through. Aussie rugby fans have waited long enough But that's the rub of it. If you are developing programs to develop players it's going to take 5 years until you see the players that came through those program - so of course you will have to wait. Likewise if the programs are inadequate, it's not going to be immediately seen as the players you are getting may have gone through past structures that may have been better.