The Fiji Under-20 rugby team has been demoted to play in the World Rugby U20 Trophy next year.

This was after they blew away a 14-0 lead to lose 24-19 to Spain in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town, South Africa, this morning.

This guarantees Spain a second year in the U20 championship while the Fijians are demoted. 

Trailing 14-0 in a rain swept Athlone Stadium, Spain replacement hooker David Gallego was the hero, coming up with the ball following a maul from a five-metre lineout three minutes into the second period of sudden-death extra time as Spain won their first-ever match in the competition.

Fiji was twice down to 13 players late in the game.

The game was more than half-an-hour in before the first points went on the board– Fiji breaking the deadlock through flanker Nemani Kurucake.

But this was already an enthralling match. Both sides had already been held up over the try-line.

Both sides had been reduced temporarily to 14, and had shown plenty of enterprise in attack.

Fiji had soaked up a lengthy spell of Spanish pressure on their own line in defence, before Kurucake’s try. 

Conditions – atmospheric and under foot – weren’t helpful to either side, making the handling, offloads, and tackling even more impressive. 

Kurucake’s try released the pent-up first-half scoring pressure. Fiji got their second five minutes later, replacement hooker Iowane Vakadrigi picking up from the back of a ruck and powering over, holding off two Spanish tacklers.

And anything Fijian hookers could do, Spanish ones could too, as Diego Gonzalez Blanco crashed over following a strong Spanish maul just before halftime to reduce the deficit.

The second half started in much the same manner as the first – defensive determination holding over attacking intent, for the first 10 minutes, before Fiji back-row Ronald Sharma scored out wide.

Spain countered from the restart, with a try for flanker Jokin Zolezzi, after the forwards had crashed their way to the line to make it a seven-point game. 

Fiji were reduced to 13 as Kurucake and winger Waisake Salabiau were sent to the sin-bin within minutes of one another as Fiji defended their line from another concerted Spanish attack. The latter’s card, for a dangerous challenge, was upgraded to red on bunker review.

And Gonzalo Otamendi levelled the scores moments later, after flanker Nicolas Moleti crashed over nine minutes from time.

Despite Spain’s best efforts, that was the last score of normal time, as the game went to an all-in, nerve-shredding sudden death.  

World Rugby U20 Championship Results: 

Grand Final: England 21-13 France
3rd Place playoff: Ireland 24-38 New Zealand
5th Place playoff: Australia 6-14 Argentina
7th Place playoff: Wales 31-47 South Africa
9th Place playoff: Italy 13-24 Georgia
11th Place playoff: Fiji 19-24 Spain 

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