Chile and Belgium will meet in the final of the World Rugby U20 Challenger after both were defeated Brazil and Namibia to qualify for the title decider. Portugal and Romania will fight for the bronze medal, while Canada and Brazil will fight for fifth place. Namibia and Hong Kong China will fight for the playoffs for seventh place.
Romania 29 – 22 Hong Kong China
The final round of the pool stage began with Romania defeating Hong Kong China 29-22, while U20 Stejarii finished second in Group A.
Despite finishing on the losing side, Hong Kong China struck first and Jack Joyce converted an early penalty to give his side the lead. They added a converted try in the 18th minute when the whore Morgan Hanson eluded the Romanian defense and grounded the ball past the post.
However, the tide turned against China in Hong Kong just 10 minutes before the break. After James Stanton was sent to the sin bin, the U20 Stejarii pressed hard and crossed for tries through wing Matei Bivolo and no. 8 Valentina Dumitras. With Antonio Mitre taking a corner kick, the Eastern European side went into halftime leading 12-10.
The second half saw a few turnovers, with Hong Kong China taking the lead again in the 50th minute through Fritz Mahn’s try, which was converted by Joyce. Romania equalized through another finish from Bivol.
The Asian side hit back again after a powerful strike finished by Mahn, but this time Joyce missed the conversion.
Romania continued to push back and succeeded after determined pressure. From a well-placed maul, they quickly recycled the ball before winger Matei Niculai broke the line and slotted over. Mitrea converted to give Romania the lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Despite China’s best efforts from Hong Kong, Romania added another five and Bivol completed his hat-trick after a sharp team move. Hong Kong China looked for a response in the closing stages but Romania’s defense closed in to secure their second win of the tournament.
Romania will now play Portugal in the bronze medal match, while Hong Kong China will meet Namibia in the play-off for seventh place.
Portugal 28 – 26 Canada
Portugal secured a 28-26 victory over Canada in a match that went down to the wire, with the Canadians having a chance to tie the game with the final conversion.
Portugal got off to a flying start, scoring tries from winger Antonio Carmona and winger Rodrigo Socorro, who grabbed his fourth of the tournament. Portugal’s more fluid and agile attack caused problems for the Canadian defence, which conceded too many penalties in an attempt to stop the Lobos.
However, Canada eventually found a way. After a quick pass from the shootout, Liam Kinghorn spotted an opening in the defense and raced through to score. Jonty Nicholas converted to cut the deficit to 15-7.
The first 10 minutes after the break were played with astonishing intensity, with both teams adding tries. Carmona completed his lock from the second driving shot before flanker Eliot Marschall claimed Canada’s second. Vasco Trindade and Nicholas added the respective conversions.
After Rogan Moir was sent to the sin-bin following a series of penalties, Canada were reduced to 14 men and Portugal took full advantage, scoring their next try through center Jorge Lima.
Trailing by 11 points with 20 minutes left, Canada looked to claw their way back into the game and had several chances to close the deficit, but handling errors and poor decision-making kept them scoreless until the final five minutes.
With Rodrigo Gingado taking a penalty for the Lobos, the contest was over, but Canada sparked a late surge. Porter Grook completed a relentless team move, with Nicholas adding the conversion, before Liam Kinghorn followed. The number 8 ran an unstoppable line, fending off several attackers before diving over.
Although the final conversion was a long way off, a draw would have helped Canada a little, as it would still have secured Portugal second place in Group B.
Portugal will now play Romania for the bronze medal, while Canada will meet Brazil in the fifth-place playoff.
Belgium 47 – 22 Namibia
Belgium and Namibia provided an entertaining fight, and the European team won 47-22 and advanced to the finals, where they will meet the host Chile.
U20 Welwitschias struck first with a well-placed William Beukes penalty, but Belgium hit back immediately and took the lead with tries from Romain Mathe, Romain Leclere and Sohan Dealle. Fullback Charles Depasse converted two of three.
As Namibia celebrated their first try of the game after a great move from Beukes, Belgium restored their 18-point lead minutes later. From the line, Depasse broke through and scored under the post before converting his own effort.
Three minutes before half-time, Namibia scored their second goal with a powerful pass from Jayvin du Plessis. Beukes converted, sending his team into the break 11 points behind.
Namibia came out with renewed intent in the second half and threw everything at Belgium, pushing them deep into their own 22. After several attempts, Dominique Isaacs dropped a dummy, eluded the defense and struck near the post to bring his side within four points of level.
Unfortunately for Namibia, that try proved to be the wake-up call Belgium needed. The Europeans quickly recovered from their slump, regained control of the set-piece and scored three more tries before the final whistle.
Leclere completed his brace, while Arthur Blanckaert and Samuel Meksoud also crossed to seal a convincing 47-22 win to send Belgium into the final. Namibia will meet Hong Kong China in the play-off for seventh place.
Chile 80 – 7 Brazil
As expected, Chile advanced to the final of the World Rugby U20 Challenger after a remarkable 80-7 win over Brazil, and will face Belgium next Saturday for the title.
The U20 Condores set pieces proved decisive, giving them control of the game and leaving Brazil without possession. The hosts took the lead from the line, and Max Schlesinger touched down the ball to the delight of the Chile fans.
Chile kept up the pressure and added five more tries before the break, with winger Rafael Silva scoring twice and No.8 Lucca Baglietto, stalwart Cristóbal Escobar and fly-half José Tomás Bonilla scoring a try each. Sebastián Benavente scored four conversions and a penalty.
Brazil’s consolation try came just seconds before half-time, with João Gabriel Ribeiro dodging two players before diving between the posts. Chile went into the break up 41-7.
Chile continued to dominate after the break, adding 39 unanswered points. Front rower Gianfranco De Giorgis, who came on at the start of the half, scored a hat-trick, while Benavente, Santiago Wood and Nicolás Weitzel also scored.
Benavente added three more conversions and a penalty to complete the 80-7 victory and extend Chile’s winning streak to three matches.
After scoring 213 points during the pool stage, Chile are in high spirits in the final, where they will face Belgium for the right to become the inaugural champions of the competition. Brazil will meet Canada in the battle for fifth place.
Final Round (October 17)
Namibia v Hong Kong China (14:00 BST)
Brazil v Canada (17:00 BST)
Portugal v Romania (20:00 BST)
Belgium v Chile (23:00 BST)
All matches will be broadcast on RugbyPass TV.
