The Junior Wallabies have suffered an agonising loss in the final of the world rugby U-20 championship in Argentina, beaten 24-23 by defending champions France.
Seeking their first title in the 12th edition of the annual tournament, Australia came up just short in a tense decider in Rosario on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Outscored three tries to two, France secured victory through the accurate goalkicking of Toulon five-eighth Louis Carbonel, who finished with 14 points.
Carbonel’s penalty with 15 minutes remaining was the final scoring act and the eighth lead change of the game.
By contrast, Australian halves Will Harrison and Michael McDonald landed three of seven shots between them.
It was a heartbreaking finish for a Junior Wallabies side whose only other final appearance was nine years ago. They had failed to reach the semi-finals since.
Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase handed Australia a dream start when scoring inside 50 seconds after supporting a clean break from Queensland Reds fullback Isaac Lucas.
Hooker Lachlan Lonergan snared his fourth try of the tournament late in the first half but Australia trailed 18-13 at the break after France crossed through front-rowers Theo Lachaud and Alex Burin.
Five-eighth Harrison bagged the lone try of the second half to put his team ahead.
However, Carbonel’s boot twice reclaimed the lead as France became the third team after New Zealand and England to claim back to back titles.
France 24
Tries: Lachaud, Burin
Cons: Carbonel 1/2
Pens: Carbonel 4/4
Junior Wallabies 23
Tries: Nawaqanitawase, Lonergan, Wilson
Cons: Harrison 1/3
Pens: Harrison 2/4
More to come.
Jigbon
Roar Rookie
Your cynicism is no match for your ignorance try hard. Named by nature not by name.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Great comment. Celebrating the positives rather than bemoaning the negatives!!! Congrats to both teams and commiserations to the WBs. Well done lads - we’re super proud of you!!
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Executing the basics to a consistent, high standard - scrum, lineout, maul, defence....and points kicking. These win (and lose) games at all levels.
Big Dog
Guest
An outstanding game of rugby that earns my congratulations to both teams. Being Australian, I would have loved to see the Junior Wallabies get up and agree with other comments on this thread that goal kicking has always been our Achilles heel in this country. It’s unacceptable to leave so many points on the field, particularly with such a close final result, but gee, our U20s are a great side. The future looks bright if these young men stay in Union.
Neel
Roar Guru
Commendable effort boys. Well played throughout the tournament.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Hard luck boys, but its the hard lessons that teach us the most. Future is bright and with dedication they will taste success soon enough. Speaking of bright futures. We should also aknowledge the Frenchies going back to back. They could be a real threat on the horizon too.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Well done to the Jnr Wallabies, they can definitely hold their heads high. Great game of rugby won by the tightest of margins. Congratulations France.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You don’t think developing age group talent is part of the head office role? Or are they only responsible if something’s is a failure?
Jacko
Guest
A fantastic effort Aus U20....Both sides looked to contain some future International stars and it shows the game still has some great strenths in Aus...Now if only the Muppets in head office could perform their tasks as well as this U20 side has done thru-out this tournament....Well done...
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Great game of footy, nothing better than Sunday breakfast and watching a replay of two teams having a crack. Well done Oz and congratulations France.
Harold
Guest
Seriously? I am a kiwi and obviously would have been barracking for them, when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks I get straight on the phone and ring my Wallaby tragic mate and congratulate him. Can we please just celebrate peoples victories and great efforts - it would have been great to see the Wallaby U20s win the big prize - there is definite talent there. I don't have any advice - just a tip of the hat for fantastic effort, may there be more.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Aust teams need to downgarde the box kick as a go to choice. Once again the U20 utilised it too much. Most times it was not contested nor did it go out nor long, so it handed over the ball and after they ran it back were within 10-20 metres of where it was kicked. Why can't they pass it back deep and kick it long into the corners? Sure box kick if you have players who chase with good aerial skills and a kicker who has a long hang time.
AJ
Guest
Tough morning for Aussies with this and Matildas going down through shoot out. Can hold their heads up though.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Good effort boys. Lost by the smallest of margins. So can hold heads high. The pain of losing is a great motivator and they will be better for it – although the pain will still be there. Looks like a promising future for these boys, now RA need to figure out how to retain them and develop them further…
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
That was one close and intense final. Two teams completely even more or less. Big winner: RUGBY!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Just finished watching it and it was a great game and they did everything apart from nail their penalty kicks. The French handling and flair was outstanding and congratulations to them. There were no weak links in this Wallaby juniors team and they fought across the park for the 80 mins. McCreight is an excellent captain and I thought it looked obvious from their acceptance of their medal that none of them was happy being 2nd. We must focus on developing our kicking across the game, it is just not good enough and hasn't been for years. I would love to see an end to the Gregan standing at the back of the ruck before passing. It cost us an opportunity at the end of this game. I said 'oh! no we're going to lose this', as the ball was out. There is no advantage in it and compare it to the Jaguares SR semi-final, where quick ball was there regularly. Great team and apart from the kicking and the scoreboard my biased view was they were the better team on the park.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Always awful to lose through goal kicking. They were magnificent.
Harry
Guest
Congratulations to the players and coaches on a terrific effort that gives hope and joy to all Australian rugby supporters. Great final and the players didn't leave anything out there. The big skilled French forwards probably had the edge at the breakdown and the battle at the line, and clear scrum dominance in the 2nd half, and that was the narrow difference. But nothing to be ashamed off from our pack, or indeed the entire squad. Lets hope we continue these players development. Don't forget there are promising players who were injured as well - Petaia, Hardy from the Reds for instance.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
I liked the game and I think that AUS got unlucky with the kicks to the posts. If some of them would have gone in the result could have been other. Great future for many of those young players.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great Final and tough loss for the Jnr Wallas, they played bloody well. Unfortunately poor goal kicking is an endemic problem at all levels in Australian Rugby which ultimately cost them the Final. Now granted 3 of the shots were difficult however the other one should have been kicked. Dave Allred we need you at all levels ! Harry Wilson and Isaac Lucas were outstanding. Well done to Jason Gilmour and the whole squad, a great tournament which gave Aussies something to cheer about.