New Zealand ‘Baby Blacks’ surrender Under-20 Rugby Championship after 25-17 loss to Argentina

Monday, 4 May 2026

Finn McLeod was one of the New Zealand Under-20 tryscorers (file photo).

At Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha: Argentina Under-20 25 (Federico Serpa, Luciano Avaca, Ramon Fernandez Miranda tries; penalty try; Serpa pen) New Zealand Under-20 17 (Haki Wiseman, JD van der Westhuizen, Finn McLeod tries; Cohen Norrie con). HT: 15-12

New Zealand have failed to defend their Under-20 Rugby Championship title after losing 25-17 to Argentina in South Africa on Monday (NZT).

The eight-point defeat and lack of a losing bonus point was costly for the Baby Blacks’ hopes of retaining the southern hemisphere crown at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

It opened the door for the South Africans to pounce, and they didn’t disappoint their fans by thumping Australia 56-17 in the later game.

It secured the Junior Springboks maximum competition points and gave them an unassailable lead on the table with a round to spare. It was the Junior Springboks’ first Under-20 Rugby Championship title success, and means their final round match against New Zealand will be a dead rubber next Monday (NZT).

Haki Wiseman, JD van der Westhuizen and Finn McLeod scored tries for the New Zealanders.

Argentina’s strong start, lineout prowess and tenacious tackling were the catalysts for their success. Their powerful lineout secured 18 of their 20 throws while stealing four of New Zealand’s.

Argentina enjoyed 60% possession and 70% territory, leading 15-12 at the interval.

It took 30 minutes for New Zealand to enter Argentina’s 22. Loose forward Kobe Brownlee produced a hearty display, and his break a minute later saw Wiseman cross from the next ruck.

In the 35th minute, lock Jake Frost was yellow carded after a team warning for persistent infringements. A minute later, New Zealand conceded a penalty try from a lineout drive, which also saw prop Ethan Webber dismissed for 10 minutes.

Despite being reduced to 13 men, New Zealand produced their best passage of play when they created an overlap for North Harbour winger van der Westhuizen.

The Baby Blacks beat Australia 34-29 in their opening game of the tournament.