France crushes New Zealand and is close to the semi-finals of the U-20 World Cup

Winners of the last two editions of the U-20 World Cup, in 2018 and 2019, the French national team dreams of a treble in 2023. After two group matches, they will certainly not be far from the stated goal. Easy winners from Japan on Saturday with a total of 12 tries scored (75-12), they did it again early Thursday afternoon against young New Zealanders who had a terrible time on muddy ground at Paarl Gymnasium (35-14).

They were defeated, suffered, and dominated all areas of the game, especially in conquest. In the second half, the All Blacks got their heads out of the water, about twenty minutes in, on two tries. But 20 minutes is too light to scare and turn Bosulu Tuilagi and his gang.

Bosulu Tuilagi as the captain

The second line is neither the captain nor the vice-captain, but gives the impression that he is dragging all the others in his wake to crush the opponent. Missed Japan because he arrived in South Africa late due to a visa problem. Tuilagi started on Thursday afternoon and was seen very quickly, for a long time and all over the field: in defense despite his extraordinary physique he does not prevent him from moving and tackling anything in front of him, And in attack, on balls carried, the famous strikes where the hooker replaces with some success. Another Blues wonder, scored in the final minutes of the game by Brent Leufau, is happy to be able to take control of Ajay Valleavaga, his cousin, who is part of New Zealand’s selection.

With two more tries scored by Theo Atisogbe and Baptiste Jounou and a clear run against Hugo Reus, the French were not far from the semi-finals. They now have to face the Welsh, who struggled to beat the Japanese (41-19). The meeting will take place on Tuesday (4:30 pm). As a reminder, in order to validate your ticket for the last four groups, you must finish first in one of the three groups or win a best second place.

Note also that the Blueberries, against the Japanese, received two yellow cards. Jono and Paul Kostis were punished after the break.