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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Pledger in points as Baby Blacks prevail
Dylan Pledger. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Rising Otago star Dylan Pledger scored a try but his New Zealand team had to work hard to win their opening game at the under-20 world championship yesterday. The Baby Blacks had to dig deep to repel host nation Italy 14-5 in Calvisano. Playing in oppressive heat and in front of a buoyant crowd, New Zealand were held scoreless in the second half of a turgid spectacle. The first half took more than an hour to complete. In the third minute, Italian tighthead prop Bruno Vallesi was laid out in a brutal tackle by Mosese Bason. The injury break stretched 15 minutes. New Zealand were penalised frequently for scrum infringements as they struggled to contain an Azzurri pack led by 142kg loosehead prop Sergio Pellicioli. Italy threw ample numbers at the breakdown and unsettled a New Zealand team that lacked cohesion and discipline. Winger Stanley Solomon, speculated to be a Highlanders target for next season, was yellow-carded for an illegal cleanout in the first half. Replacement forward Randall Baker followed in the second as New Zealand conceded a dozen penalties to Italy's four. The Baby Blacks could take heart from a determined defensive display. Crusaders hooker Manumaua Letiu scored New Zealand's first try from a lineout drive that could have finished in Rome. Influential halfback Pledger scored just before halftime with a trademark dummy and dash over 30m. Second five Copper Roberts and lock Xavier Treacy topped the New Zealand tackle count with 13 each, followed by openside flanker Caleb Woodley with nine. Winger Frank Vaenuku was easily New Zealand's most lively back. The All Blacks Sevens flyer made three line breaks and charged for a game-high 97m. Halfback Niccolo Beni scored Italy's only try, a second-half cracker. New Zealand, who last won the tournament in 2017, next play Georgia on Saturday. U20 World Championship The scores New Zealand 14 Manumaua Letiu, Dylan Pledger tries; Will Cole 2 con Italy 5 Niccolo Beni try Halftime: New Zealand 14-0. — APL/NZ Rugby
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ edge Italy in opening match at World Rugby under-20 Championship
New Zealand's under-20 captain Manumaua Letiu playing against Australia earlier this year. Photo: Photosport New Zealand has hung on to win their opening match at the men's World Rugby under-20 Championship beating hosts Italy 14-5 in stifling heat in Calvisano, northern Italy. In temperatures of 30 degrees plus, New Zealand scored first going up 7-nil inside the opening 10 minutes with a try to skipper and hooker Manumaua Letiu. They extended the lead to 14-nil just before halftime when halfback Dylan Pledger scored, bursting clear from the base of a ruck just outside the 22 metre mark. Italy however bounced back early in the second half with an unconverted try to narrow the gap to 14-5. That was all the scoring for the remainder of the match as both sides made numerous errors and found the going tough in the heat. New Zealand's next pool game is against Georgia on Saturday morning. New Zealand last won the under-20 title in 2017. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
