New Zealand Under 20 open campaign with bonus-point win
Storm brings early finish
In the 68th minute, a lightning storm forced the players from the field. After a 20-minute delay and subsequent deliberation, the match was abandoned, with New Zealand awarded a bonus-point victory after scoring six tries.
With three unanswered second-half tries from fullback Logan Williams (Canterbury), openside Caleb Woodley (Auckland) and first five-eighth Mika Muliana (Southland), momentum suggested New Zealand could have added further points, potentially crucial when points differential comes into play later in the tournament.
Nonetheless, five competition points is a satisfying return in difficult conditions against a Japan side that threatened to claim its first victory at the tournament since 2015.
Trailing 21-7 in the first half, Japan fought back to level the scores before the break. Winger Shinnosuke Uchida gathered a perfectly weighted cross-field kick from first five Takeru Niwa before hooker Sota Miura produced a stunning 25-metre burst from a driving maul that had splintered left, leaving the New Zealanders shell-shocked.
New Zealand Under 20 take control after halftime
The halftime break, arriving as the weather deteriorated, proved timely. New Zealand simplified its approach after the restart, overpowering Japan with a direct, forward-oriented game. The Kiwis won all nine of their lineouts and enjoyed 79 per cent possession during the final 10 minutes before play was halted. Earlier, the scrum had struggled for parity, while Japan's lineout drive consistently posed problems.
New Zealand's three second-half tries came through patience and physicality, wearing Japan down with accurate, direct play around the ruck and maul. Hooker Josh Findlay led the way, finishing among the match leaders for both carries and tackles. Blindside flanker Bradley Tocker transitioned seamlessly from the All Blacks Sevens programme, while lock Jake Frost lived up to his name with a rugged performance in the miserable conditions.
Key contributors
Muliana atoned for his earlier yellow card with a composed display at first five-eighth, while halfback Charlie Sinton showed the benefit of his Bay of Plenty NPC experience.
New Zealand also showed greater attacking ambition in the opening spell. Their 27th-minute try, scored by former Hamilton Boys' High School National Top Four winner Ollie Guerin, was a standout. Captain Haki Wiseman pounced on a loose ball and burst into space before linking with Sinton, who sent Guerin over.
The referee was Luke Rogan (USA).
WATCH: New Zealand Under 20 v Japan Under 20 Highlights
Match Summary: New Zealand Under-20 38, Japan Under-20 21
Scorers: New Zealand Under-20 38 (Dane Johnston, Bradley Tocker, Ollie Guerin, Logan Williams, Caleb Woodley, Mika Muliana tries; Muliana 4 conversions) Japan Under-20 21 (Kise Shin, Shinnosuke Uchida, Sota Miura tries; Takeru Niwa 3 conversions).
Half Time: 21-21
