New Zealand have progressed through to the semi-finals World Rugby U20 Championship with a hard-fought 27-18 win over Australia at Perpignon.
The 'Baby Blacks' wasted little time seizing the initiative, scoring two converted tries through first-five Harry Plummer and number eight Devan Flanders in the opening 12 minutes.
But the Aussies struck back with two tries of their own - the second, a penalty try from a scrum - to draw within 17-15 at halftime.
After suffering three yellow cards in their previous outings against Wales, discipline was again an issue for New Zealand. Prop Tevita Mafile'o was sin-binned for 10 minutes, after the penalty try and captain Tom Christie was also dispatched early in the final minutes of the game.
But after the break, the Kiwis weathered the storm, finally breaking clear with a try from winger Jamie Spowat, converted by Plummer, in the 62nd minute.
"What a game!" said captain Christie afterwards. "They call international rugby a test match for a reason and that match was a real test.
"Any time we play the Aussies, it's like playing your big brother - no-one wants to lose, no-one wants to give them an inch.
"The Aussies put really good territory pressure on us and once we started controlling that territory, things started working for us."
The result sees the unbeaten NZ team finish safely atop Pool A and they will now face France in the semi-finals.
France topped Pool C, after beating South Africa 46-29 in their final preliminary game. Both those teams progress, with the Junior Springboks facing England in the other knockout fixture.
"Playing against the hosts, what more motivation do you need?" said Christie.
New Zealand overwhelmed England in last year's tournament final.
Newshub.