3 May 2017

Sport: NZ U20s thrash Samoa, Aus pushed by Fiji

8:50 am on 3 May 2017

New Zealand and Australia set up a winner takes all match at the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship after contrasting victories against Samoa and Fiji.

Despite making 13 changes from the team that thrashed Fiji by 60 points, New Zealand illustrated their depth, scoring 12 tries to overpower the Baby Manu 80-23 on the Gold Coast.

Samoa take on New Zealand at the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Samoa take on New Zealand at the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship. Photo: Oceania Rugby/Sportography

However Samoa captain Losi Filipo did not believe the lopsided scoreline was a fair reflection of his side's performance.

"We definitely made a goal for it to slow down their set-piece and I think we pretty much did that," he said.

"New Zealand against Fiji they had flowing ball but I thought that our Samoan boys really slowed it down - the results didn't show it but we know as a fact as a team that we did it so I think that's all that counts.

"I mean New Zealand is quite a strong side and to play like that is one hell of a performance."

Losi Filipo playing for the Samoa Under 20s.

Losi Filipo playing for the Samoa Under 20s. Photo: Oceania Rugby/Sportography

It was a much closer affair in the second match between Australia and Fiji, with the hosts winning 32-24.

Fiji opened the scoring with a penalty kick and only trailed by five with 25 minutes remaining before the hosts closed out the match.

Ratu Vere Taukanoa Vugakoto, Apisalome Bogidrau and Salimoni Tukania all crossed for tries.

Fiji Under 20s pushed Australia close on the Gold Coast.

Fiji Under 20s pushed Australia close on the Gold Coast. Photo: Oceania Rugby/Sportography

Fiji captain Temo Sukayawa Mayanavanua was pleased with the improvements shown from their first match.

"Incredible work by the boys, hats off to all the boys. Incredible works also from Australia, " he said.

"We expected a really tough match and that is what they gave us. We've learnt a lot from it.

"I'd also like to thank the supporters that came down in numbers - we couldn't have done it without them," said Mayanavanua.

"Just on our ball retention, ball into contact. I'm really proud and really humbled that the boys took that it throughout the whole 80 minutes."

Fiji and Samoa will square off in an all-Pacific affair in the final round on Saturday.