NZ beats Australia to Qualify for World Cup

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Josiah O’Connell Catches big pass over the middle

The New Zealand Junior Ironblacks have defeated the Australian Junior Outback in the weekend to qualify for the Junior World Championship in Ohio, USA in June. Protein Cookie Spartans players Hiro Tanaka and Jed Peniata were joined by Wellington Wolves Play Isaac Isa’ako as the only three Wellington players to make the predominately Auckland based side.

“With Auckland based coaches it was always going to be hard for the guys to make the side” Said Spartans coach Michael Wilson. “It was great that they not only made the side but played such a big part in the victory”.

The IronBlacks caught the Outback off guard early on as they loaded three wide receivers on one side showing pass. They then ran to the other side for a big gain and a touchdown.

The hosts capitalized on the turnover at the IronBlacks 13 yard line in the third quarter to cross for a touch down with a run to the outside.

The next Iron Blacks drive proved to be the game-winner. Receiver Josiah O’Connell had to leap to catch a 29-yard heave from Pasa-Sioka, but held on despite the attention of safety Scott Rogers to set up the Ironblacks at the Australian 17. On the next play Tavaga darted through the middle of the line, eluded McFadzean while drifting to the right sideline, then beat the pursuit to dive into the endzone untouched. The extra point was wide left, but New Zealand had a 12-7 lead and the win..

Hiro Tanaka and Jed Peniata will have no time to rest as they join the Protein Cookie Spartans for a crucial league match on Saturday 1pm at Spartan Park, Harcourtt Werry Drive, Avalon.

Seven countries from four continents – USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Sweden, France and New Zealand – have now qualified for the summer tournament, which will kick off at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on June 27 and play through to July 5. The Panama plays Mexico on February 14 for the final spot. New Zealand is likely to face number 1 seed Canada in the first round.

Click to enlarge
Jed Peniata (89) Celebrates Victory.jpg

BOX SCORE
Scoring
1st quarter
New Zealand – Tavaga 59-yard (kick blocked)

2nd quarter
No Score

3rd quarter
Australia – Borghuis 13-yard run (Prills kick)

4th quarter
New Zealand – Tavaga 17-yard run (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
NZ: Tavaga 12-141 (2 TD), Gandy 12-40, Pasa-Sioka 5-16.
AUS: Borghuis 7-58 (1 TD), Monea 10-17, Tumata 3-11, Russell 5-5, Pappas 4--6, Rusby 15--8.

Passing
NZ: Pasa Sioka 1-6-29-2, MacAskill 0-1-0-0.
AUS: Rusby 5-9-27-0, Prill 0-1-0-0.

Receiving
NZ: O’Connell 1-29.
AUS: Russell 3-2, Borghuis 1-24, Beyer 1-1.

Interceptions
NZ: None
AUS: Townrow, Rourke.

Official Names

Wellington Competition – American Football Wellington
Hutt Valley Team – Protein Cookie Spartans
Wellington team – Wellington City Wolves
New Zealand team – Junior IronBlacks

ENDS

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