Future looks extremely bright for the All Blacks

New Zealand are the new kings of junior world rugby after they defeated England, 44-28, in the final in Tokyo yesterday.

Powered by automated translation

New Zealand are the new kings of junior world rugby after they defeated England, 44-28, in the final in Tokyo yesterday. Despite a strong start, England Under 20s could not live with the pace and handling of the All Blacks, who might have won by a bigger margin. Zac Guildford , one of the stars of the tournament, capped a fine display with two tries for the victorious All Blacks, who effectively won the match with three tries in the space of five first-half minutes.

"We were beaten by a better team," conceded England coach Mark Mapletoft who saw James Gaskell, Carl Fearns and David Lewis cross the line for his side. "Overall it was closer than last year and we've certainly made strides in some aspects. "To score 28 points was obviously a positive but it was equally disappointing to concede seven tries." Mapletoft admitted that New Zealand were "too clinical", adding: "When we gave them cheap yards and a sniff of the line, they were over. Overall, I'd have to say the score was a fair reflection of the two teams, but on the plus side, we could have capitulated but didn't. I have to give the boys credit for sticking at it, but as hard as we worked we couldn't quite close the gap."

* With agencies