The Ireland under 20's are into the semi finals of the IRB Junior World Championship for the first time. They beat Fiji by 38 points to 0 in Auckland today in their final pool B game and also secured the bonus point they needed. Ciaran Gaffney and Conor McKeon both crossed the whitewash, in addition to three penalty tries, to send Mike Ruddock's side through as Pool B winners after Wales got the better of France 13-3.
The Auckland wind and rain played their part in an error-strewn first half as Ireland's bid for a bonus point win - a result which guaranteed their place in the last-four - took a while to get off the ground. Ireland played into Fiji's hands at times courtesy of some wayward kicking and handling errors and they had to show admirable patience in pursuit of their tries.
Fiji missed two penalties either side of a successful eighth minute penalty from Garry Ringrose, who took over the place-kicking after Ross Byrne picked up a slight knock. It was past the half hour mark by the time Ruddock's youngsters had registered their opening try, with Fiji losing number 8 Vincent Sosefo to the sin-bin. His team-mates were unable to avoid the concession of a penalty try. The Fijians only had 12 players on the pitch - forwards Ameniasi Natuiyaga and Aseri Robarobalevu were binned in quick succession - when the Irish scrum piled forward to win a second penalty try on the stroke of half-time. Ringrose's conversion made it 17-0.
Gaffney then cut through for a well-taken try nine minutes into the second half and a third penalty try made certain of the bonus point with 13 minutes remaining. There was still time for Ringrose to tee up replacement McKeon for Ireland's fifth try of the afternoon. He converted it himself to put 38 points between the sides - the biggest winning margin in the pool.
