The International Rugby Board's junior world championship endured a low media profile until Wales's group victory over France in Swansea last Saturday sparked a flurry of fists after the final whistle.
Wales's victory, which earned them a semi-final against New Zealand in Newport this evening, was as unlikely as it was undeserved, given that they were 10 points behind with two minutes of normal time remaining having been largely outplayed. But video footage showed that the post-match brawl, which involved most of the players and some who were not involved in the game, was incited by the French.
That was shown in three long suspensions handed out to three French players, one of whom had been banned from the Wales game after falling foul of officials in the previous match against Italy, compared to three weeks for the Wales second row Jevon Groves. The countries were given the same punishment: a £50,000 fine, suspended for two years, plus the deduction of three points in the world championship next year and in 2010.
The build-up to the game had seen the France manager, Philippe Sella, groan about the tournament organisers, claiming that Wales were unfairly benefiting as hosts. But many felt the same about France in last year's senior World Cup, not least New Zealand who were less than enthralled at the referee Wayne Barnes's handling of their quarter-final against Les Bleus in Cardiff.
The All Blacks were last week upbraided by the England team manager, Rob Andrew, for still going on about Barnes. Never mind previous English grievances against the New Zealand referee Steve Walsh - the following day, as if oblivious of what he had said, Andrew blathered on about Nigel Owens's handling of the first Test against the All Blacks. If criticism of referees is a right coaches do not want to be relieved of, then criticism of others who criticise referees should be out of bounds.
Australia could not blame the referee at Newport last Saturday when they lost their final group match in the junior world championship to England. The junior Six Nations grand slam winners face South Africa in the semi-final in Cardiff tonight, buoyed by the Baby Boks's poor showing against Samoa last week with the islanders at one stage leading 11-3 before going down 16-11.
England won the grand slam playing with a swagger, but they were more prosaic against a strong Australia side, using a blitz defence to hound the young Wallabies into errors. Every aspect of their preparation was sound and they revelled in their role of underdogs, but if they are to win the tournament, they will need to show more of their Six Nations approach. The semi-final at the Arms Park is a repeat of last October's World Cup final, but the 80 minutes is unlikely to be as sterile.
Wales will need more than a referee to help them against a New Zealand side which piled up 25 tries in its three group games, with just one conceded. But the All Blacks are used to breezing through World Cup pools only to find the winds generated by knock-out rugby too much for their sails.
The Wales coach Warren Gatland will be at Rodney Parade to watch his Under-20s take on his compatriots. "They have to go out with confidence and put the Kiwis under pressure," he said. "One thing we learned from the senior tour to South Africa this month was that we initially gave the Springboks too much respect. You cannot do that in international rugby. This is a great opportunity for the players: they are in the shop window."
England were fifth seeds in the tournament and are the only team from outside the tour four rankings to make the last four. "The performance against Australia was awesome," said their captain, Hugo Ellis. "Every player put his body on the line and, as a defensive display, it was out of this world. The thing that stood out the most was the way which we stepped up the intensity, especially around the ruck where we knew their scrum-half was a threat. Now, we have to do it all again against South Africa."
It may be a tournament for emerging players, but there is an aspect of the senior game that will visit the Arms Park tonight. The kick-off is at 9.10pm to accommodate television, with Wales v New Zealand beginning at 7pm. England's unexpected presence in the last four should have seen the times switched, given the travelling support they will attract. Back to hosts, tournaments and organisers again.
