14 Jun 2017

NZ reach under-20s world rugby final

9:40 am on 14 June 2017

New Zealand will play defending champions England in the final of the world rugby under-20 championship in Georgia.

The five-time champions beat France 39-26 in the semi finals.

New Zealand winger Caleb Clarke looks to hand off the French defence in their semi-final win at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia.

New Zealand winger Caleb Clarke looks to hand off the French defence in their semi-final win at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo: Lasha Kuprashvili / World Rugby

New Zealand dominated the first half with four unanswered tries, to lead 29-0 at half time.

France responded with four second half tries of their own but New Zealand's sole second half try was enough to seal a place in the final.

"We got a bit complacent in the second half and the French were able to come back," said New Zealand captain Luke Jacobson.

"We know they've got French flair, they bring a lot of attacking footy and they caught us off guard a little bit," he said. "we believed too early that the game was over."

England reached the final with a narrow 24-22 win over South Africa.