New Zealand 29-19 France
New Zealand put their foot to the floor late on to finally subdue a France side who proved to be difficult opponents throughout an enthralling test match.
New Zealand 2
France 2
Jordan (21'), Lienert-Brown (42'), Kirifi (58'), McAlister (75')
Tries
Garrec (7')
McKenzie (22', 43', 76')
Conversions
Garrec (8')
McKenzie (30')
Penalties
Garrec (19', 33', 36')
Drop Goals
Hastoy (23')
New Zealand put their foot to the floor late on to finally subdue a France side who proved to be difficult opponents throughout an enthralling test match.
Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister scored tries, and Damien McKenzie scored three conversions and a penalty at his home turf in Hamilton.
Nolann Le Garrec scored France’s try, a conversion and three penalties. Flyhalf Antoine Hastoy banged over a drop goal to keep the score ticking in the first half.
For an hour the teams were evenly matched before the All Blacks raised the intensity. Neither were at full strength, but plenty of players put their hands up for future consideration.
The All Blacks may have lost some of their aura to South Africa, but Jordie Barrett showed that he is vital to their future success, and in Jordan they have a genuine superstar. They also showed that they produce players with game intelligence like no other.
France may have failed to win any of the three matches, but coach Fabien Galthie will be pleased with how they battled for five of the six halves. The experience will stand his side in good stead when they return down under for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
FRANTIC OPENING
The match opened at a breath-taking pace, and it wasn’t until four minutes in that play broke down.
France drew first blood. After a rolling maul to the line, Le Garrec spied a gap and whizzed through, and he then dusted himself down to knock over the conversion.
Both teams settled down, but mistakes drifted in. Samisoni Taukei’aho overthrew at a lineout, and then Ardie Savea tried a chip over the defence from his own 10m line, with the expected consequences.
France snaffled the ball, went on the attack and after winning a penalty, Le Garrec took his team into double figures.
This is the All Blacks, and the expected response came. Damien McKenzie wasn’t at his flowing best at flyhalf, but it was his halfback partner Cortez Ratima who did the damage.
JORDAN, WHO ELSE?
He spied empty grass behind the French defence, dinked a ball over, and Jordan raced through to score his fifth of the series.
Hastoy dropped a goal to stretch, but New Zealand were enjoying success with kicks over France’s defence where Leo Barre was the sole sentry. Samipeni Finau was held up in goal, and Jordan couldn’t catch his own kick.
McKenzie slotted a penalty after a good period of pressure, but so did Le Garrec as France hit form.
Mickaël Guillard won a turnover penalty, and Gael Fickou had no hesitation in pointing to the posts. Le Garrec did the rest.
FRUSTRATING TIMES
Just before halftime Finau was held up, but when centre Lienert-Brown hit a strong line moments later, he went low to slide over.
After the break, Hastoy pulled another dropkick wide as France went straight on the attack, and Barre had to react quickly to clear up another kick through.
France’s defence held as New Zealand piled on the pressure, and Le Garrec missed his first kick of the night to keep both teams frustrated.
The dam broke when another McKenzie kick through caused consternation for Barre. Kirifi didn’t wait to be asked and swooped up the loose ball to score his first international try and give his side the lead for the first time.
Barrett, was alert to drag Emilien Gailleton out in the corner, then when France claimed the lineout, it was Savea who came to their rescue by winning a turnover penalty.
Barrett then turned creator when he swept round the corner, fended off the defence and McAlister ran a strong support line to slide over for his first test try.
It wrapped up the win, and the series, but both teams have much that will please them.
New Zealand Starting XV (1-15) Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Samipeni Finau, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
New Zealand Replacements (16-23) Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Papali'i, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jordie Barrett
France Starting XV (1-15) Baptiste Erdocio, Pierre Bourgarit, Rabah Slimani, Hugo Auradou, Matthias Halagahu, Alexandre Fischer, Joshua Brennan, Mickael Guillard, Nolann Le Garrec, Antoine Hastoy, Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Nicolas Depoortere, Theo Attissogbe, Leo Barre
France Replacements (16-23) Gaetan Barlot, Paul Mallez, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Tixeront, Pierre Bochaton, Thibault Daubagna, Emilien Gailleton