# 2012 IRB Junior World Championship

The 2012 IRB Junior World Championship was the fifth IRB Junior World Championship, an annual international rugby union competition for Under-20 national teams. This competition replaced the now defunct Under 19 and Under 21 world championships. The event was held in South Africa between 4 and 22 June 2012 and organised by world rugby's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB). A total of 12 nations played in the tournament. New Zealand came into the tournament as defending champions. South Africa were crowned 2012 champions after defeating New Zealand 22–16 in the final on 22 June at Newlands Stadium.
After finishing last at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, Tonga had been relegated to the IRB Junior World Trophy and therefore did not participate in this year's event. They had been replaced with Samoa, who won the 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. Italy were relegated to the IRB Junior World Trophy for 2013 after losing the last place play-off to Fiji. They were replaced in 2013 with the United States, winner of the 2012 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy.

## Venues

The championship was held in Cape Town, South Africa. In an effort to improve TV broadcasting for all matches, only two venues were planned to be used. However, on 8 June 2012, organizers moved all the matches that were scheduled to be played at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point and Newlands Stadium in Newlands due to heavy rain that damaged the pitches of the initial venue.
| Suburb | Venue | Capacity |
| Stellenbosch | Danie Craven Stadium | 16,000 |
| Bellville | University of the Western Cape Stadium | 2,500 |
| Green Point | Cape Town Stadium | 55,000 |
| Newlands | Newlands Stadium | 51,900 |

## Teams

| Pool | Team | Number of tournaments | Position last year | Position this year | Notes |
| A | New Zealand | 4 | 1 | 2 | Runners-up |
| A | Fiji | 4 | 6 | 11 |
| A | Wales | 4 | 7 | 3 | Bronze medal winner |
| A | Samoa | 3 | DNP | 10 | Promoted from 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy |
| B | England | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| B | South Africa | 4 | 5 | 1 | Champions |
| B | Ireland | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| B | Italy | 3 | 11 | 12 | Relegated to 2013 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy |
| C | Australia | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| C | France | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| C | Argentina | 4 | 9 | 4 |
| C | Scotland | 4 | 10 | 9 |

## Pool stage

All times are in South African Standard Time (UTC+2).

### Pool A

    Team Pld W D L TF PF PA PD BP Pts  Wales 33001112727+100214  New Zealand 32011510221+81311  Fiji 310274580-3504  Samoa 300306152-14600
* 4 June 2012 14:45
| Wales | 44–18 | Fiji |
| Try: D. Thomas 44' m E. Walker 47' c D. Harris 66' c C. Allen 68' c M. Morgan 71' c C. Hill 80' m Con: S. Davies (1/2) 48' M. Morgan (3/4) 67', 68', 72' Pen: S. Davies (2/3) 2', 54' | Report | Try: S. Kerevi 14' m J. Kerevi 25' c Con: S. Gavidi (1/1) 26' Pen: T. Vuibau (2/3) 63', 75' |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* 4 June 2012 16:45
| New Zealand | 63–0 | Samoa |
| Try: A. Curtis (2) 12' c, 68' m M. Keresoma (3) 16' m, 23' c, 77' c R. Marshall 21' c M. McKenzie (2) 35' c, 61' m N. Ross 51' m N. Harris 80' m Con: I. West (4/7) 13', 22', 24', 36' S. Eade (1/3) 78' Pen: I. West (1/1) 4' | Report | |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
* 8 June 2012 14:45
| Fiji | 15–3 | Samoa |
| Try: A. Simolo 13' m S. Kerevi (2) 69' m, 78' m | Report | Pen: F. Ah Ki (1/1) 30' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
* 8 June 2012 16:45
| New Zealand | 6–9 | Wales |
| Pen: S. Eade (2/2) 8', 40' | Report | Pen: M. Morgan (1/2) 21' T. Prydie (2/2) 46', 64' |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
* 12 June 2012 16:45
| Wales | 74–3 | Samoa |
| Try: E. Walker 5' m M. Morgan 18' c T. Prydie (2) 24' m, 54' c R. Jones 31' m C. Allen 45' c T. Pascoe 48' c E. Jenkins 64' c G. Thomas 74' c I. Jones 77' c D. Harris 79' c Con: T. Prydie (8/11) 19', 46', 49', 55', 65', 75', 78', 80' Pen: T. Prydie (1/1) 14' | Report | Pen: F. Ah Ki (1/1) 11' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
* 12 June 2012 18:45
| New Zealand | 33–12 | Fiji |
| Try: Penalty try 36' c G. Preston 44' c M. Proctor 49' c J. Emery (2) 65' c, 80' m Con: I. West (4/5) 37', 45', 50', 66' | Report | Try: J. Sassen 2' m A. Simolo 68' c Con: S. Gavidi (1/1) 69' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: JP Doyle (England)

### Pool B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 99 | 41 | +58 | 3 | 11 |
| Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 79 | 51 | +28 | 2 | 10 |
| England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 99 | 48 | +51 | 1 | 9 |
| Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 157 | -137 | 0 | 0 |
* 4 June 2012 16:45
| England | 64–5 | Italy |
| Try: J. Bassett 15' m M. Yarde (2) 29' c, 78' c D. Robson 38' c L. Cowan-Dickie 45' c K. Sinckler 62' c R. Mills 65' c T. Heathcote 68' c S. Hill 76' c Con: H. Slade (4/4) 5', 30', 39', 46' T. Heathcote (4/5) 63', 66', 69', 78' Pen: H. Slade (1/1) 16' | Report | Try: L. Sarto 10' c |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
* 4 June 2012 18:45
| South Africa | 19–23 | Ireland |
| Try: P. Willemse 53' c Con: T. Jantjies (1/1) 54' Pen: T. Jantjies (4/4) 10', 60', 64', 71' | Report | Try: J. Coghlan 27' c C. Gilsenan 66' c Con: JJ Hanrahan (2/2) 28', 67' Pen: JJ Hanrahan (2/2) 21', 24' Drop: JJ Hanrahan (1/1) 57' |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
* 8 June 2012 18:45
| South Africa | 52–3 | Italy |
| Try: W. Small-Smith 15' m P. Willemse 20' c J. Serfontein (2) 27' c, 58' c S. Kitshoff 38' m V. van der Watt 52' c B. Steyn 62' c P. Howard 80+1' c Con: H. Pollard (5/6) 21', 28', 53', 59', 63' T. Jantjies (1/2) 80+2' | Report | Pen: J. Apperley (1/2) 30' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
* 8 June 2012 18:45
| England | 20–15 | Ireland |
| Try: Penalty try 61' c K. Sinckler 66' c Con: T. Heathcote (2/2) 61', 67' Pen: T. Heathcore (2/2) 4', 43' | Report | Try: JJ Hanrahan 13' c K. Marmion 25' m Con: JJ Hanrahan (1/2) 14' Pen: JJ Hanrahan (1/1) 39' |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
* 12 June 2012 14:45
| Ireland | 41–12 | Italy |
| Try: P. Nelson (2) 1' c, 65' m C. Farrell 5' c A. Conneely 7' c J. Rael 51' m L. McGrath 55' c Con: J. Carty (4/6) 2', 6', 8', 56' Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 20' | Report | Try: E. Padovani 12' c G. Calabrese 17' m Con: E. Padovani (1/2) 13' |
* Cape Town Stadium, Green Point Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
* 12 June 2012 18:45
| South Africa | 28–15 | England |
| Try: W. Small-Smith 42' c S. Adendorff (2) 47' c, 68' c P.-S. du Toit 60' c Con: H. Pollard (4/4) 43', 48', 61', 69' | Report | Pen: T. Bell (5/5) 32', 45', 57', 68', 74' |
* Cape Town Stadium, Green Point Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

### Pool C

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
| Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 50 | 30 | +20 | 0 | 12 |
| France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 76 | 54 | +22 | 3 | 11 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 77 | 58 | +19 | 1 | 5 |
| Scotland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 53 | 114 | -61 | 2 | 2 |
* 4 June 2012 14:45
| Australia | 67–12 | Scotland |
| Try: J. Holloway 1' m N. Frisby 4' c H. Roach (2) 13' m, 43' c J. Dargaville 17' c A. Latunipulu 26' m C. Sautia (2) 31' c, 47' m C. Browning 63' c S. Latu 65' c M. Ngauamo 74' m Con: K. Godwin (4/8) 5', 18', 32', 44' U. Seuteni (2/3) 64', 65' | Report | Try: A. Redmayne 38' m J. Farndale 55' c Con: L. Coutts (1/2) 56' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
* 4 June 2012 18:45
| France | 15–18 | Argentina |
| Pen: E. Escande (5/5) 4', 12', 19', 27', 28' | Report | Try: L. Ramella 22' m J. Cappiello 54' c Con: S. Poet (1/2) 55' Pen: S. Poet (2/4) 62', 67' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Greg Garner (England)
* 8 June 2012 14:45
| Australia | 3–15 | Argentina |
| Pen: K. Godwin (1/3) 37' | Report | Try: F. Nougues 26' c P. Matera 76' m Con: S. Poet (1/1) 27' Pen: S. Poet (1/4) 34' |
* Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* 8 June 2012 16:45
| France | 30–29 | Scotland |
| Try: G. Fickou (2) 2' c, 28' m J. Kazubek 55' c S. Taofifenua 77' m Con: C. Otazo (1/2) 3' E. Selponi (1/2) 57' Pen: E. Selponi (2/2) 37', 46' | Report | Try: Penalty try 39' c H. Leonard 64' m J. Farndale 72' m Con: H. Leonard (1/3) 39' Pen: H. Leonard (4/4) 12', 20', 34', 59' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: JP Doyle (England)
* 12 June 2012 14:45
| Argentina | 17–12 | Scotland |
| Try: F. Ezcurra (2) 16' m, 26' c L. Ramella 41' m Con: J. Paz (1/3) 27' | Report | Try: J. Bhatti 15' m M. Eadie 80' c Con: H. Leonard (1/2) 80+1' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
* 12 June 2012 16:45
| France | 31–7 | Australia |
| Try: B. Fuster (2) 15' c, 20' c V. Martin 59' c P. Jedrasiak 79' c Con: E. Escande (3/3) 16', 21', 60' T. Laranjeira (1/1) 80' Pen: E. Escande (1/2) 66' | Report | Try: L. Gill 34' c Con: K. Godwin (1/1) 35' |
* Cape Town Stadium, Green Point Referee: Greg Garner (England)

### Standings after the group stage

Overall Standings :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
| 1 | Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 127 | 27 | +100 | 2 | 14 |
| 2 | Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 50 | 30 | +20 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 99 | 41 | +59 | 3 | 11 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 102 | 21 | +81 | 3 | 11 |
| 5 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 76 | 54 | +22 | 3 | 11 |
| 6 | Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 79 | 51 | +28 | 2 | 10 |
| 7 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 99 | 48 | +51 | 1 | 9 |
| 8 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 77 | 58 | +19 | 1 | 5 |
| 9 | Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 45 | 80 | −35 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | Scotland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 53 | 114 | −61 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 157 | −137 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Samoa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 152 | −146 | 0 | 0 |

## Knockout stage
### 9–12th place play-offs

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | 9th place | 9th place |
| 17 June – Bellville | 17 June – Bellville |
| Scotland | 34 |
| Scotland | 34 | 22 June – Bellville | 22 June – Bellville |
| Italy | 17 | 22 June – Bellville | 22 June – Bellville |
| Italy | 17 | Scotland | 62 |
| 17 June – Bellville | 17 June – Bellville | | Scotland | 62 |
| 17 June – Bellville | 17 June – Bellville | Samoa | 28 |
| Fiji | 20 | Samoa | 28 |
| Samoa | 29 | | |
| Samoa | 29 | 11th place | 11th place |
| | | 22 June – Bellville | 22 June – Bellville |
| | | Italy | 17 |
| | | Fiji | 19 |

#### Semi-finals

* 17 June 2012 12:30
| Scotland | 34–17 | Italy |
| Try: M. Eadie (2) 14' c, 45' m J. Farndale (2) 19' m, 60' c F. Russell 32' c Con: H. Leonard (3/5) 15', 32', 61' Pen: H. Leonard (1/3) 51' | Report | Try: G. Bisegni 26' c D. Odiete 54' c Con: J. Apperley (2/2) 27', 55' Drop: J. Apperley (1/1) 3' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Attendance: 500 Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
* 17 June 2012 14:45
| Fiji | 20–29 | Samoa |
| Try: A. Simolo 26' c L. Ratumuri 50' m J. Raikabula 77' m Con: M. Little (1/1) 27' Pen: M. Little (1/1) 6' | Report | Try: R. Lilomaiava 33' c P. Schuster 39' c U. Poliko 41' c F. Ah Ki 53' m Con: F. Ah Ki (3/4) 34', 40', 42' Pen: F. Ah Ki 67' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Attendance: 300 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

#### 11th place game

* 22 June 2012 14:15
| Italy | 17–19 | Fiji |
| | Report | |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)

#### 9th place game

* 22 June 2012 12:00
| Scotland | 62–28 | Samoa |
| | Report | |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

### 5–8th place play-offs

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | 5th place | 5th place |
| 17 June – Bellville | 17 June – Bellville |
| Ireland | 27 |
| Ireland | 27 | 22 June – Newlands | 22 June – Newlands |
| England | 12 | 22 June – Newlands | 22 June – Newlands |
| England | 12 | France | 7 |
| 17 June – Newlands | 17 June – Newlands | | France | 7 |
| 17 June – Newlands | 17 June – Newlands | Ireland | 18 |
| France | 19 | Ireland | 18 |
| Australia | 17 | | |
| Australia | 17 | 7th place | 7th place |
| | | 22 June – Bellville | 22 June – Bellville |
| | | Australia | 13 |
| | | England | 17 |

#### Semi-finals

* 17 June 2012 14:45
| France | 19–17 | Australia |
| Try: J. C. Fidinde 67' c Con: E. Escande (1/1) 68' Pen: E. Escande (3/4) 12', 18', 23' Drop: T. Laranjeira (1/1) 73' | Report | Try: L. Crook 57' c N. Frisby 68' c Con: Matt Lucas (2/2) 58', 69' Pen: Matt Lucas (1/2) 56' |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Referee: JP Doyle (England)
* 17 June 2012 17:00
| Ireland | 27–12 | England |
| Try: B. Daly 7' c I. Henderson 16' c J. Coghlan 72' c Con: JJ Hanrahan (3/3) 8', 17', 73' Pen: JJ Hanrahan (2/3) 33', 56' | Report | Try: C. Walker 42' m H. Slade 76' c Con: H. Slade (1/2) 77' |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)

#### 7th place game

* 22 June 2012 16:30
| Australia | 13–17 | England |
| | Report | |
* University of the Western Cape Stadium, Bellville Attendance: 550 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)

#### 5th place game

* 22 June 2012 14:15
| France | 7–18 | Ireland |
| | Report | |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

### Finals

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final |
| 17 June – Newlands | 17 June – Newlands |
| Wales | 6 |
| Wales | 6 | 22 June – Newlands | 22 June – Newlands |
| New Zealand | 30 | 22 June – Newlands | 22 June – Newlands |
| New Zealand | 30 | New Zealand | 16 |
| 17 June – Newlands | 17 June – Newlands | | New Zealand | 16 |
| 17 June – Newlands | 17 June – Newlands | South Africa | 22 |
| Argentina | 3 | South Africa | 22 |
| South Africa | 35 | | |
| South Africa | 35 | 3rd place | 3rd place |
| | | 22 June – Newlands | 22 June – Newlands |
| | | Wales | 25 |
| | | Argentina | 17 |

#### Semi-finals

* 17 June 2012 17:00
| Wales | 6–30 | New Zealand |
| Pen: T. Prydie (2/3) 4', 14' | Report | Try: J. Tupou 38' c J. Emery 42' c J. Taufua 51' m O. Tu'ungafasi 63' m Con: I. West (2/4) 38', 43' Pen: I. West (2/3) 26', 29' |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
* 17 June 2012 19:15
| Argentina | 3–35 | South Africa |
| Pen: S. Poet (1/3) 45' | Report | Try: J. Serfontein 21' c M. Pretorius 36' m R. Rhule (2) 40' c, 52' c Con: H. Pollard (3/4) 22', 40', 53' Pen: H. Pollard (2/3) 7', 62' T. Jantjies (1/3) 66' |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

#### Third place game

* 22 June 2012 16:30
| Wales | 25–17 | Argentina |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

#### Final

* 22 June 2012 18:45
| New Zealand | 16–22 | South Africa |
| Try: M. Keresoma 34' c Con: I. West (1/1) 35' Pen: I. West (2/3) 13', 56' | Report | Try: V. van der Watt 47' m J. Serfontein 61' m Pen: H. Pollard (4/5) 10', 19', 39', 75' Drop: H. Pollard (1/1) 60' |
* Newlands Stadium, Newlands Attendance: 33,210 Referee: Greg Garner (England)