The Junior Wallabies have claimed a tense 44-35 victory over rivals New Zealand U20s to book their place in the U20 World Championship fifth-place final.
The Kiwis spent the majority of the game with 14 men after a red card to Tom Allen in the 13th minute for a dangerous cleanout.
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Despite this, the Aussies didn’t have it all their own way as New Zealand defied the odds to take a 12-point lead just after the break.
Winger Tim Ryan came up with a crucial second-half double to put Nathan Grey’s side in front before captain Teddy Wilson sealed the win
The Junior Wallabies will play Wales to decide fifth-sixth on July 15.
"Very relieved and I'm very happy for the playing group and the staff," Junior Wallabies coach Grey said after the match.
"They've been working really hard for a long time and the boys stuck at our style of footy and we scored some great tries. It's a great finish and we're looking forward to next week already.
"We know New Zealand are a quality outfit and they had the red card early which makes it difficult...we were able to capitalise and play our footy. I'm very proud of the effort of the guys."
The Australians’ poor luck with injury continues, losing playmakers Jack Bowen (calf) and Mason Gordon (shoulder) before the game, handing Tom Morrison his first appearance of the tournament.
However, it was the Kiwis that found themselves on the back foot despite an early try to Macca Springer following Allen’s brain snap early in the match.
Allen dumped Lachlan Hooper onto his head as he tried to clear him out, with the incident upgraded to a red card.
It allowed Australia to exploit the space through winger Rohan Leahy, with captain Teddy Wilson combining vice captain Max Craig for their opening try.
With Allen off for the rest of the match, Sevens star Caleb Tangitau rallied the Kiwis with an instant response to restore the Kiwis' lead following a break from Malachi Wrampling-Alec.
Wrampling-Alec’s good work was instantly undone when the flanker was sent to the bin for collapsing the maul on their line. It opened the door for Craig to get his second as the Junior Wallabies went straight back to the rolling maul.
They sensed their opportunity to strike and once again marched down the field, with Henry O’Donnell powering over the line. However, inaccuracy from the tee kept the Kiwis in the contest.
New flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips missed three conversion attempts compared to a near-perfect first half from Taha Kemara, who kicked a drop goal after a Wrampling-Alec try to give the New Zealand U20s a sudden 25-18 lead at the break.
Hooker Jack Taylor extended their lead to 12 just after the break, only for the numbers game to catch up to the Kiwis as Reds winger Tim Ryan crossed in the corner.
The respective wingers then took turns trading tries, with Leahy’s effort answered by Tangitau’s second, only for Ryan to sneak down the short side for a double. Two clutch conversions from McLaughlin-Phillips gave the Aussies a two-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Ultimately the game was going to be decided by discipline and Xavi Taele’s high shot on McLaughlin-Phillips forced the New Zealanders to finish the game with 13.
As the rain pelted down, it was the skipper that sealed the win as Wilson dived over with three minutes remaining, diving over the line to the delight of the Junior Wallabies.
