Australia U20 book semi-final berth with 45-17 win over Ireland

Australia U20 45-17 Ireland U20, Club De Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada
Scorecard

Ryan Baird's red-card proved costly for Ireland as Australia went on to complete a 45-17 win in the second round of the World Rugby U20 Championship at Club De Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada on Saturday.

The win has taken Australia to the second place in Pool B which confirms them a semi-final berth as they cannot be displaced by second placed Ireland because of their win in the head to head battle.

Will Harrison kicked a fifth minute penalty to start the proceedings but infringements from both the sides halted the momentum for most of the first half. Australia were the first to reduce to 14-men temporarily with Semisi Tupou sin-binned in the 16th minute but Ireland suffered a major setback in the 21st minute when Baird was sent-off for a high tackle on Will Harrison.

Australia made an immediate response when Sione Tui crossed over in the 24th minute and Harrison followed with the conversion before Ireland finally managed to open their account with Craig Casey touching down at the stroke of half-time as the teams were separated by just three points at the end of the first half.

Despite being one man down, Ireland looked in control with their second from Stewart Moore in the 57th minute with Jake Flannery and Ben Healy kicking a penalty and a conversion respectively on either side. Nevertheless, the final quarter was total domination from Junior Wallabies as Isaac Lucas (63'), Mark Nawaqanitawase (65'), Nick Frost (67' and 78') and Harrison (77') all scored tries to complete a 45-17 win for Australia and more importantly a berth in the semi-final.