France, Ireland and England all advanced to the last four of the World Rugby U20 Championships but there was heartbreak for Italy and Wales.
Ireland, inspired following the tragic passing of Greig Oliver in an accident on Monday, were the first to seal their safe passage, defeating Fiji in Stellenbosch.
France later joined them with victory over Wales, while England’s draw with Australia proved to be enough to advance and it proved to be a step too far for Italy after their incredible win over South Africa.
Ireland dominate Fiji as England made to wait
Grand Slam champions Ireland proved why they are just that and quickly pulled away to a bonus point 47-27 win over a spirited Fiji side.
Brian Gleeson got Ireland underway after just six minutes before Danny Sheahan crossed shortly after.
Moses McGoon and Isaiah Ravula got two back for Fiji before the break but Ireland had already sealed the bonus point thanks to Gleeson’s second and a George Hadden try.
The Flying Fijians came out to entertain in the second half and made Ireland sweat thanks to two quickfire scores in the first 10 minutes, with Moti Murray and Pateresio Finau both scoring to reduce the Ireland lead to 26-22.
Gus McCarthy eased any Irish worries of a shock though, dotting down twice, which combined with Andrew Osborne’s try and three Sam Prendergast conversions saw Ireland into the semi-finals.
England knew that a win would see them through to the semi-finals too but they were made to wait after their second draw in the group stage, drawing 22-22 against Australia.
Mark Mapletoft’s men led for large parts of the second half but were clawed back two minutes from time by an Australia side who were fighting for their own semi-final place.
The Junior Wallabies held a narrow 17-14 half-time lead despite England’s fast start, with Charlie Bracken scoring after just three minutes.
Cassius Cleaves scored his second try in two matches, but the Wallabies crossed for two of their own tries through Leafi Talataina and Max Craig.
Nathan Jibulu finished off a wonderful team move just three minutes after half-time to put England ahead again and that lead was extended further through a Connor Slevin penalty.
That appeared to be enough to send England through but when down to 14 men after Chandler Cunningham-South’s yellow card, Harry Maclaughlin-Phillips levelled the scores.
They were then made to wait but after New Zealand’s 62-19 win over Japan was not quite enough to overcome the points difference, they advanced to the semi-finals.
France win to seal qualification
Les Bleuets were already all but assured of qualification at kick-off after England’s draw but that did not stop them putting in another excellent performance as they beat Wales 43-19.
Inspired by captain Nicolas Depoortere, France raced into a 24-7 half-time lead, despite the red card of Barnabé Massa after just 13 minutes.
Fly-half Clément Mondinat was also on the scoresheet before a sensational try from Léo Carbonneau as Les Bleuets showed their quality.
But Depoortere’s second try a minute into the second half put an end to any realistic Welsh hope of a comeback and two late scores from Lino Julien and Maël Moustin saw France pull away further as they look to defend their crown.
New Zealand defeated Japan 62-19 to finish second in the group but that was not enough to advance to the semi-finals, losing out to England on points difference.
Italy suffer Georgia defeat
After making history against South Africa on Gameday 1, Italy had given themselves a chance of qualification to the semi-finals but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity against Georgia.
The Junior Lelos flew out of the blocks, scoring after nine minutes through Nika Lomidze and though Italy kept getting back into the game, they never really looked back.
Lorenzo Casilio did score the next try for Italy but Georgia scored their second of the afternoon through Basa Khonelidze and led 18-10 at the break.
It was the Azzurrini who started the better of the two sides in the second half and thanks to Marcos Gallorini’s score and subsequent conversion from Simone Brisighella, the Junior Lelos’ lead was cut to one point.
They went on to extend that though through Khoneldize’s second try and a late bonus point sealing try from Tamaz Tchamiashvili prevented Italy from any sort of fairytale comeback as Georgia won 30-17.
