New Zealand retained their IRB Under 21 World Championship title this afternoon at Hughenden, beating Ireland 47-19. A couple of late converted tries gave the score-line a more emphatic look, when in fact Ireland had kept the reigning champions well in sight moving into the last quarter.

New Zealand scored six tries, including a hat-trick from Tony Koonwaiyou, with Luke McAlister kicking four conversions and three penalties. However, Ireland's Gareth Steenson, with two penalties and drop-goal of his own this afternoon, ends up as the tournament's top points scorer, with 64.

Earlier at Hughenden, South Africa won convincingly against Australia (44-10) to take third spot in the final standings.

As for Scotland, they were beaten by Italy at New Anniesland this morning and so end the IRB Under 21 World Championship in a disappointing 10th place - three places below their standing last year.

Tries through Brian Archibald and Fergus Thomson plus two penalties (one each for Archibald and Neil Hunter) were not enough. The Italians scored three tries - all converted - and two penalties.

In the other morning kick-off, Russia held off Tonga to win 44-39 in an entertaining match at Dumbreck.

In the early afternoon matches, Argentina beat France in a pulsating match 42-33 and England beat Wales 26-19.

Where they all ended up:

1st - New Zealand 2nd - Ireland 3rd - South Africa 4th - Australia 5th - England 6th - Wales 7th - Argentina 8th - France 9th - Italy 10th - Scotland 11th - Russia 12th - Tonga