New Zealand U20 have kept control of Pool B, but Scotland U20 made them work far harder than the tournament table will suggest.
The Baby Blacks beat Scotland 36-26 at the Junior World Championship, a result that leaves New Zealand top of the pool after two wins from two and pushes Scotland into a tense final-round meeting with Japan.
Scotland stay alive despite New Zealand blow
RugbyPass listed the match as a full-time 36-26 New Zealand win, with the updated Pool B table putting New Zealand on 10 points, Italy on seven and Scotland on six after two rounds. That means Scotland are not out of the qualification picture, but their route is now far narrower.
The context matters. World Rugby’s preview had underlined New Zealand’s strength at this level, noting their dominant pool-stage record and their unbeaten Junior World Championship record against Scotland before kick-off. Scotland still reduced the margin to 10 points and came away with enough attacking return to keep pressure on Italy.
Fergus Pringle’s side had retained a strong core from the opening win over Italy, with Rory McHaffie, Dan Kelly, Henry Kesterton, Alex Bryden and Nairn Moncrieff all named in the backline by Scottish Rugby. That continuity gave Scotland a platform, but New Zealand’s ability to close the scoreboard gap without losing control was decisive.
For Scotland, Japan now becomes a must-deliver fixture. For the Baby Blacks, this was less a procession than a warning: Pool B is still alive, and the margins around the semi-final race are tightening.
Sources: RugbyPass Junior World Championship results, World Rugby matchday two preview, Scottish Rugby team announcement.
