NZ tame England in final to retain junior world crown

New Zealand remain the nation to beat in under-20 rugby after beating England in the junior world championship final in Japan tonight.

The young New Zealanders overcame a sluggish start and physically imposing opponents in Tokyo win an entertaining match 44-28.

By doing so they retain the title won last year in Wales when they tipped aside England 38-3 in the decider.

The English tonight fielded six players who contested that game, while New Zealand's sole survivor was wing Zac Guildford, who marked the occasion by scoring two tries, a return matched by his outstanding captain Aaron Cruden.

Aggressive forward play and mighty goalkicking from fullback Tom Homer saw England steal a 6-0 lead before the New Zealanders began to eliminate the errors which plagued their early endeavours.

Robbie Robinson opened New Zealand's account with a fine try after a midfield break by centre Winston Stanley saw the fullback fed the ball on the left following good link play by halfback Frae Wilson and second five-eighth Shaun Treeby.

England actually made good use of the ball for a change when lock James Gaskell collected their only try of the first spell in the 17th minute but thereafter New Zealand took charge on the back of a fast-paced game and sure handling.

Guildford drew the New Zealanders to 10-11 with a fine try after he received a kind bounce from a Stanley chip ahead, then first five-eighth Cruden scored two tries in the space of three minutes as his team suddenly turned the match on its head.