Scotland U20 vs Australia U20
Competition: World Rugby Under 20 Championship
Date: 18 June 2017
Kick-off: 12:30 CET
Both Scotland and Australia have probably been the two teams that have played better than expected in this tournament. They may not have cracked the top four, but they have a chance to play for that all-important fifth spot.
Scotland had a tough ride to the middle tier of the Junior World Championship as they opened their account against New Zealand. It was, of course, a tough one, and an expected loss, but Scotland were incredibly competitive and only fell away as the match wore on. They then went on to beat Italy, who were also surprisingly competitive, as well as Ireland who were below par this year. It left Scotland in sixth on the log, hoping to hunt down the fifth spot which belonged to Australia. In the playoffs, it was a good scrap between the teams from the British Isles as Scotland beat Wales 29-25 setting up a match against a classy looking Aussie team.
The Aussies were probably disappointed to not make the top four of this competition, as that is usually where they find themselves as a force in junior world rugby. It was France that they lost out to as the baby Wallabies lost a nailbiter of a game to England by a single point in their last pool match, letting France slip in ahead of them to fourth. However, the fifth spot is still up for grabs, and having finished there, they will want to claim it to, but Scotland will be a tough opponent. Scotland and Australia also play each other in the senior’s teams, like France and South Africa.
Scotland U20 vs Australia U20: Playoff Performance
Australia were always favourites to beat Italy in their semifinal, but the Italians made it tough for a while before the Aussies won out 42-19 The Scots were made to work harder, and needed to scrap against a plucky Welsh side, but they too came good in the end, winning 29-25.
Scotland U20 vs Australia U20: Prediction
Australia are a team you would expect to be in the top four, whereas Scotland are a team you are glad to see as high as they are in sixth, it says a lot about the difference in quality. Scotland has played better than expected, but Australia has been unlucky. They will do more than enough to take fifth spot the Wallabies, but Scotland will put up a big fight.
Scotland U20 vs Australia U20: Tips
Izaia Perese has been a revelation for the Baby Wallabies and is destined for greatness, he scored a hattrick in the Italy game and will score again in this match.
Leave a Reply