TOKYO – New Zealand Captain Aaron Cruden scored two tries, three conversions and a penalty to lead his team to a 44-28 victory over England to defend the IRB Junior World Championship yesterday.
At 10-11 down in the first half, Cruden then missed a conversion following left winger Zac Guildford’s try in the 21st minute.
But he made amends by scoring 15 points consecutively with a penalty, two tries and a conversion to take his team to a 25-11 lead from which New Zealand never looked back.
The Kiwis scored seven tries in total with Guildford’s double, full back Robbie Robinson, left centre Shaun Treeby, and hooker Brayden Mitchell adding to Cruden’s brace.
England, who gave up an early 6-0 lead, scored three tries through flanker James Gaskell, number eight Carl Fearns and substitute David Lewis.
They also had two conversions and three penalties.
– Nampa-AFP
