France U20 Rugby Team Falls to New Zealand in World Cup Semi-Final
The French U20 rugby team was eliminated by New Zealand in the U20 World Cup semi-final, losing 26-34.
Key Points
- • France U20 rugby team lost 26-34 to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the U20 World Cup.
- • Match played in extreme heat conditions in Viadana, Italy.
- • France led briefly in the second half but failed to capitalize on a numerical advantage.
- • Coach Cédric Laborde expressed frustration over missed opportunities and the team's inexperience.
In a heartbreaking semi-final match of the 2025 U20 World Cup, the French U20 rugby team, known as the Bleuets, was eliminated by New Zealand's U20 team, the Baby Blacks, with a final score of 26-34 held in Viadana, Italy. The intense heat during the match posed a significant challenge for the young players.
The French team initially started strong but quickly found themselves in trouble, conceding two quick tries within the first eight minutes, trailing 0-14. They rallied back, thanks to tries from Kalvin Gourgues and Baptiste Britz, closing the gap to a mere two points at 12-14. By halftime, the score stood at 19-24 after a late effort from Fabien Brau-Boirie. In the second half, France briefly took the lead at 26-27 but wasted a crucial opportunity when the Baby Blacks received a yellow card, failing to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Instead, New Zealand capitalized on France's missed chances and scored another try, sealing their victory. Coach Cédric Laborde expressed deep disappointment, noting the team's inability to convert their opportunities and the inexperience of the young squad, especially after having won the last three championships. Laborde underscored the frustration of not reclaiming the title, emphasizing the great potential and effort of the players despite the loss.