When France´s Hugo Avogadro went over for their first try within two minutes, the alarm bells of another horrific loss akin for LosLeonesM20 to Australia must´ve been flashing through the minds. However, a much changed team (with a third of the starting 15 for Spain switched) produced a much improved performance to give hope of overcoming Fiji in their final group game.
A sign of the difference was instead of losing a player to the bin immediately on kick-off, Spain forced a knock on and after a clean line out, Stade Toulousain´s Oriol Garcia ran a wonderful line to dive under the French defence. France were more error stricken than expected but a first clean line out and scrum helped to settle Spanish nerves.
This was a Spanish side with a stronger spine in defence and survived France camped out in their territory. It was Spain who were attacking with pace, offloading and consistently turning France around with early kicks . After a penalty to put Spain ahead 8-5 , it was Solomon Ibeoba (promoted from the bench) who provided the punch. Spain were 15-5 up and good for it. France didn´t help themselves with constantly being pinged for penalties. On the 36th minute, Spain would cross again and with two French players in the bin, a shock win looked on at 20-10.
France Fight Back
Sadly, that would be as good as it got for Spain, as France unloaded their bench and returned to 15, the gulf in depth started to show and the game would end 57-32. Still, until the 60th minute Spain could legitimately say they were in this game. A night and day difference from Australia and Spain, if nothing else, have restored some crucial confidence and belief before Fiji.
Spain of the Future
A cynic would almost suggest that some of the LosLeonesM20 players, who knew they were up against France, might have seen it as a chance to go nab a contract (if they weren´t already there) in the French professional leagues. But the reality is the addition of players within French professional set ups already clearly improved the team and is clearly the pathway for Spanish teams of the future.
With Iberians missing out on the Challenge Cup, it is sad that there seems no alternative but to hop it over the border to continue their rugby development but maybe Spanish rugby is heading for the best of both worlds. A world where a thriving semi professional league in Spain gives lads the game time before they get the benefit of full time environments across the border.
Fiji await Los LeonesM20
Whatever the future holds for this group, none of them will be looking further ahead than Fiji (also humbled by Australia). Win, and Spain are legitimately inside the top 12 Junior teams. Lose and after this performance, Spain will be expected to sweep their way into 13th place. It may have taken awhile but Spain have finally shown up.
Update : Racism row overshadows game
In the aftermath of the game, French player Luka Keletaona accused Spanish player Mateo Aragón of racist comments and this has widely been reported in French media including L’Équipe. FER have swiftly issued a statement in response, giving their player´s account where the accusations are rejected and “his presumption of innocence defended”.
If there is one nation that Spain cannot afford to be on the wrong side of , it´s France. Spain´s medium term growth is largely dependent on France hoovering up the raw talent in Spain and incorporating them into professional teams. Without it, Spain´s upward trajectory would be crippled with Spain unable to provide a full time team in European competition (due to being blocked) or a professional league. No clearer example of this is the accused player is on the books himself at Bordeaux. Spain will hope the situation is resolved swiftly.
All Junior World Championship games are available on RugbyPassTV and Spain´s games can be found on Rugby Spain Youtube channel.
Photos used with permission of World Rugby. Taken by Vakho Chikvaidze.
