IRB Junior World Championship 2010
England off and running in Argentina
Scrum.com
June 5, 2010

England got their tilt at the IRB Junior World Championship off to a good start with a 48-22 win over Argentina, although they were made to work hard by the dogged host side.

Having dominated early possession but failed to capitalise England were behind to tries from fullback Ramiro Moyano and hooker Emiliano Coria. Two Tom Homer penalties kept England in touch before Gloucester's Jonny May scored the first of what would prove to be a decisive hat-trick.

The centre broke a tackle and showed a good step to finish, adding another before half-time. The Pumas were not finished though, and scored before the break through fly-half Ignacio Muedra, who had earlier converted twice.

England's pack got the upper hand after the break and were able to provide the platform for the backs to cut loose. May's third arrived just before the hour mark and Wasps' winger Christian Wade, fresh from the IRB Sevens World Series, and skipper Jacob Rowan rounded off the scoring for a welcome win.

Earlier, Ireland had slipped to an agonising late defeat to France. Replacement Gilles Bosch landed a nerveless penalty to secure the 25-22 win, only moments after James McKinney had slotted a touchline conversion to Simon Zebo's try to draw the scores level.

The boot of McKinney had secured a narrow 15-12 lead for Ireland, but immense pressure on their line eventually told when French No.8 Antoine Erbani powered over from close range. Zebo's score made it interesting, but replacement Bryan Hayes' high tackle was punished by Bosch.

Wales had to dig deep to get their IRB Junior World Championship 2010 campaign off to a winning start, needing Ashley Beck's try 10 minutes from time to see off the challenge of Samoa 22-13 at the Club Atletico Estudiantes in Paraná.

Things could have been different, however, were it not for an off-day with the boot for Samoan fly half Patrick Fa'apale who missed three penalties and two conversions in the first half and before replacement Karl Maleilegaoi failed with a penalty late in the second half.

South Africa opened their IRB Junior World Championship campaign with a dominant 40-14 victory over Tonga at the Club Atlético Estudiantes in Paraná .

It took a while for the match to warm up but after South Africa Sevens star Sampie Mastriet scored in the 22nd minute, it was one way traffic, the Baby Boks going into half-time 26-3 ahead thanks to a further score from captain CJ Strander. Tonga salvaged some respect with a try of their own but Patrick Lambie rounded off the rout with a bonus point try.

New Zealand kicked off their third successive IRB Junior World Championship title with a 44-11 defeat of Fiji at the Estadio CA Colon in Santa Fe.

Fly half Hayden Parker set the tone with two penalties within the first five minutes and the Baby Blacks then took firm control, racing 20-0 clear with tries from wing Glen Robertson and prop Jeff Allen. Fiji responded with an excellent try from Josh Matavesi before the break but flanker Sean Polwart and full back Tom Marshall crossed to bring up the bonus point as New Zealand dominated the second half.

A solid performance from the backs helped Australia secure a 58-13 win over Scotland in their first Pool C in Santa Fe at the Estadio CA Colon.

Wing Aidan Toua was instrumental in Australia's win, scoring three of his side's nine tries which took them to the top of Pool C on point differential from South Africa. Australia raced to a 34-6 half-time advantage thanks to tries from Luke Morahan, Robbie Coleman, captain Jake Schatz and a brace from Toua. The star of the show completed his hat-trick in the second half and, although Dougie Fife responded with Scotland's only try of the match, there was to be no way back.

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