Australia has reached the semi-finals of the world under-19 rugby championship despite being overhauled 22-17 by New Zealand in its final pool match.

Australia finished third in the standings with 11 points thanks to a bonus point awarded for the loss by fewer than seven points.

It will meet France, which matched the Kiwis' unbeaten record by defeating Argentina 19-12 for second spot.

New Zealand's last four opponent will be fourth-placed England, which eliminated defending champion South Africa 45-18.

Australia held a 12-5 lead at half-time before New Zealand got back into the game through two charge down tries, followed by a drop goal on full time to seal the match.

The two tries, against the run of play, combined with Australia's inaccurate goal-kicking in windy conditions, cancelled out the green and gold domination and propelled New Zealand over the line.

Australian coach Phil Mooney said he was happy to get through to the last four.

"I was really proud of the boys and their performance," Mooney said.

"They worked hard to get themselves in a position to take the game, but a couple of lapses in concentration let New Zealand off the hook.

"We had them on the ropes at certain stages, but to their credit New Zealand kept their composure under pressure.

"In the end our bonus points and good for-and-against record has got us through to the semis which is what we are here for.

"We got a lot out of this game and will now regroup and get ready for the next match."

Australia will assess a couple of injuries over the next couple of days including a shoulder injury to Jack Lam that may have put an end to his tournament.

England's forwards monstered South Africa, which had pulled back to 18-13 a minute into the second half after trailing 18-3, taking advantage of their opponents' ill-discipline to kick to the corners and drive over the line for two more tries.

Scrumhalf Daniel Care scored England's third try in 12 minutes to seal the result.

France resisted a spirited effort from Argentina to further boost its confidence after previously scalping South Africa and Ireland.

Prop Julien Andoque scored the game's only try as the Argentines thoroughly tested the French defence.

Elsewhere, Ireland edged Samoa 16-15, Scotland defeated Japan 48-0, and Wales annihilated Romania 70-0.

Ireland scored only one try to Samoa's two but Brian Collins' four goals and 11 points made the difference in the 16-15 win for the Irish.

Also, Scotland recorded its first win, an eight-try 48-0 rout of Japan, and in Wales' 70-0 spanking of Romania, flyhalf Rhys Priestland converted all 10 tries, including one of his own.

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