They had to win to go straight into the last four: job done. France beat Australia 34-29 at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Tuesday, in the meeting of Pool D’s unbeaten sides, and will play New Zealand in the U20 World Championship semi-finals.
Caught cold, then 22 unanswered points
It had started badly: a Treyvon Pritchard try inside two minutes and 5-0 to the Junior Wallabies. France’s response was emphatic. Lucas Andjisseramatchi put them back on track (17th minute), before Melvyn Rates (22nd) and then Andjisseramatchi again, with his second (25th), made the difference. With two conversions and a penalty from Luka Keletaona, France led at the break: 22-12, after a single Australian riposte from Luca Cleverley (28th).
A finish that kept everyone guessing
After the interval, Gabin Garault, already among the tournament’s leading scorers, grabbed his fourth try of the World Championship (42nd) to make it 27-12. Australia never gave up: Charlie Wallace (45th) and then Edwin Langi (60th) brought them back to within eight points, before a Charlie Bird penalty (76th) kept everyone guessing until the hooter: 34-29.
In between, Baptiste Tilloles had scored France’s fifth try (55th), converted by Diego Jurd, and that proved decisive. Of note on the Australian side: two yellow cards (Toby Brial, 16th; Will Ross, 51st) that France made count.
New Zealand in the semi-final
With this third win in three matches, France finish top of Pool D ahead of Australia, Fiji and Spain, and earn a direct ticket to the semi-finals. Next: New Zealand, the most decorated nation in the age group, for a place in the final.
Cédric Laborde’s side remain unbeaten in this World Championship: 45-15 against Fiji, 57-32 against Spain and now 34-29 against Australia, for 136 points scored in three matches.
Comments