A Teddy Wilson-inspired effort has seen the Junior Wallabies topple the New Zealand under-20s in a brilliant start to their World Cup year in Wellington.
Despite losing two men to the sin bin in the final quarter, Nathan Grey’s side held on to claim a character-filled win 34-26 in the wet to start their tour-match tour in style.
Winger Ronan Leahy scored a hat-trick in the five tries to four victory.
Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson was on fire during his side’s win over New Zealand in Wellington. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
After a dominant scrum and saw No.8 John Bryant score the opening try, Wilson helped turn the screws on his opponents.
The 20-year-old threw an audacious dummy and then set off, beating some lazy defenders around the ruck before throwing a beautiful left-to-right pass to inside centre David Vaihu to score.
Some slick hands from the Junior Wallabies, including a lovely cut out from Jack Bowen, then saw Leahy grab his first try.
After a seesawing first half, Wilson then showed why many are excited by the burgeoning halfback as he shaped to the right after collecting Bryant’s pass on the openside of the scrum before running to the blindside and dropping the ball on the toe for Leahy to run onto to score.
It was yet another clever play as he sucked in his opposite halfback to open the space to run into.
The Junior Wallabies then showed their composure as Bryant burst through New Zealand’s defence, recycled quickly for Wilson to free up his halves partner Bowen to run into before some neat hands saw Leahy complete his double.
Grey’s men came under some massive pressure when replacement tight-head prop Nick Bloomfield was shown a yellow card for an early push at the maul before his front-rower partner Liam Bowron joined him after a lifting tackle.
Liam Bowron was shown a yellow card for a lifting tackle on Malachi Wrampling-Alec of New Zealand during the Junior Wallabies’ win at NZCIS on May 29, 2023 in Wellington. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
But after some clutch defence, Wilson finished the game by kicking the ball out and sealing a memorably first-up victory.
The Junior Wallabies will take on New Zealand’s under-20 side on Saturday, before heading to South Africa for the under-20s World Cup next month.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As apparently you are, of querying ' Gubba', along with being hypocritical .
Guest
Roar Rookie
That's funny, throwing around derogatory comments then accusing others of not being culturally aware? I see you are completely unarmed for a battle of wits, safe travels :happy:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You're right. I am leaving this, and him, alone
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
There’s honestly no point.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Oh sorry, are you another that has no idea of the true culture of the land & it's people?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Try looking in the mirror sometime!!
Guest
Roar Rookie
Eh?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If you don’t get why people question your post, there’s no helping you
Jed
Roar Rookie
3 of the under 20`s play for my premier 1st grade club. We struggled without them last satday. Harry 10, Trevor prop and John Bryant our number 8.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
To be fair, if France , UK, SA , NZ had competitions in league as strong as our NRL they would be struggling as well. Too much talent dilution in Aust (not to say the union pathways aren't poor though...)
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Are you really that delusional ozinsa? where did I say that? ffs!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Typical Gubba response from one that doesn't know!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Where did I say that?Are you another that doesn't understand what a culture is?
Thom
Roar Rookie
Seven to come back in next game. But good result for the u20 pathways with these tournaments. Shows you how competitive it is by having warm up games before tournament. Think number of different country's have won the last few years.
Guest
Roar Rookie
That brain cell of yours must get fairly lonely Muzzo?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The problem SRP have is they only are looking for a player for 6 months so they can afford time wise to have someone spend 3 month to get in shape, by contrast an NH season is 10 months so giving up 3 months still allows the player available for 7 months. France also has the u23 league, which mean while he only played 86mins for the first team 19/20 he was still getting games against other professionals via the u23 league. His second year he got 953 mins. SRP needs to be longer or have a tournament running concurrent if they want to bring through more younger players.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
It is a balance between giving them good enough games but not breaking the bank to keep one player. Scotland were in financial trouble so they had to let their stars go once they demanded over a certain fee. It means players can leave allowing the next player to step up. Up North teams have about 4 players per position in the squad so if the top player leaves it means the next two get more game time to bring on their game.
WEST
Roar Guru
I hope so :thumbup:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
So what exactly was the point you were trying to make? Blokes with non-Anglo surnames in the side is a perfect reflection of Australia in general in 2023.
John Queripel
Roar Rookie
For the mainstream media suburb a beating suburb b in the nrl is earth shattering news lol.