Jono Gibbes’ reaction to France U20 scoring 55 against New Zealand

Jono Gibbes admitted Sunday night’s painful 31-55 defeat to France was a fair reflection of what happened in New Zealand’s U20 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

The Baby Blacks entered the match at Cape Town Stadium having beaten the French 27-26 in a group stage match in Stellenbosch 10 days earlier. They fought back in that match from 0-11 down at half-time to claim victory with a penalty from Rico Simpson in the 80th minute.

The second time around, however, they were in a much worse position, losing 14-34 at half-time. Despite scoring three times in the second half, winger Stanley Solomon was shown a red card in the 50th minute and ‘lost’ the half 17-21.

HITS, BUMPS AND HANDOFFS! | The Biggest U20 World Cup Collisions

HITS, BUMPS AND HANDOFFS! | The Biggest U20 World Cup Collisions

Six-time champions New Zealand were aiming to qualify for their first Rugby World Cup final since 2017. But instead of facing England next Friday, they will face Ireland in the third place play-off, who lost the semi-final 20-31.

“Every little sniff they (France) got, they executed it ruthlessly,” Gibbes told Rugby pass after his team’s seven tries against five defeats. “There’s no complaints or moaning or anything, the scoreboard is a fair reflection of what happened there.

“We didn’t show up with the right execution to beat the reigning champions. They were really clinical, every chance they got they seemed to take. We dug ourselves into a hole with a 20-point deficit.

“Every time we had a little chance to get ourselves back into the game, we lost a key moment or gave something up and we never really piled moments on moments. Their execution was really perfect. Every chance they had, it seemed like they could put us under pressure.

“The difference between Stellenbosch and tonight was that we tried to regroup, we tried to respond, we tried to counter, but we just missed a few key things, we knocked the ball up the pitch, or we let it go or we missed the ball, little things that just gave them a breather.”

New Zealand were two tries down just seven minutes into the semi-final and although they hit back with a penalty try in the tenth minute and another from scrum-half Six minutes later Dylan Pledger made it 14-21, but they were unable to extend the lead and went into halftime trailing 14-34.

Mathis Ferte goes the distance! ????#WorldRugbyU20 | #NZLvFRA photo.twitter.com/OEvXMK9PqZ

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 14, 2024

“There is no objection to the result, the result is clear: the better team won, the team that executed it won, but that does not detract from the fact that these young boys are absolutely committed to playing well.

“They’ve trained really well and the guys outside the group have been really good. Unfortunately, at a high level against a good team, if we’re not on point or piling up points regularly, you can be exposed.”

Was there a silver lining in the immediate aftermath of conceding 55 points? “Not tonight, not now, because we’re out, but look, I don’t think anyone can question our intention.

“We tried to push through to the end, it was seven tries to five, but we will bounce back tomorrow and some things we just have to understand at this level and dust ourselves off and give Ireland the best version of ourselves in the next game.

“The next game is important, especially after giving away 55 points in a semi-final. It’s important that we have a reaction and I have real confidence in the group. If we are consistent in our behaviour and we look after each other during the week, Ireland will be a good version of ourselves.”