Fiji and Samoa have made winning starts at the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy, setting up a potential winner-takes-all clash this weekend.
Fiji conceded a yellow card and a penalty try but bagged three late tries to recover from a 14 point deficit with less than 20 minutes remaining to beat Uruguay 38-34 and gain revenge for their narrow loss to Los Teritos in last year's Trophy.
Viliame Tuidraki scores for Fiji in their come from behind win over Uruguay. Photo: World Rugby / Charmaine Chitate
Meanwhile Samoa crossed for eight tries in a 54-24 drubbing of host nation Zimbabwe in the other Pool A encounter.
Head coach Ramsey Tomokino was pleased with the win but says there's still plenty to work on.
"Zimbabwe were actually very good. They had some very good players in their team and were able to upset our rhythm a little bit. I'm pleased with the first up win and after travelling for a long period of time and getting adjusted - we arrived on Friday and only really had two field sessions - so it was good to get that one out of the way and I think the boys will be pleased that we've actually got that first hit-out as well and we really look forward to this Saturday when we take on Fiji, which probably is really going to be the decider of the pool."
Samoa scored eight tries in overcoming hosts Zimbabwe 54-24 at the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016 in Harare. Photo: World Rugby / Marie-Louise van der Sandt
A trial point-scoring system, that awarded six points for a try, eight points for a penalty try and just two points for a penalty kick, is being used in the Under 20 Trophy, in an effort to encourage running rugby.
Early signs were promising with 39 tries and 302 points scored across the first four matches and Samoa managing to break 50 points, despite missing five of eight conversions.
In Pool A, tournament debutants Spain thrashed Hong Kong 44-8 while in the match of the round substitute Stiaan van der Merwe scored on full-time to draw Namibia level against the United States before Cliven Loubser slotted the conversion to seal a dramatic 46-44 victory.
