New Zealand 31-27 France
These may be strange times for New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks, no longer considered the benchmark for excellence and talent production, but one thing you can depend on is them winning at home.
New Zealand 2
France 2
Jordan (19', 46'), Vaa'i (26'), Barrett (39')
Tries
Guillard (16'), Villiere (42'), Woki (49')
Barrett (20', 26', 40', 47')
Conversions
Garrec (17', 43', 49')
Barrett (73')
Penalties
Segonds (6'), Garrec (32')
These may be strange times for New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks, no longer considered the benchmark for excellence and talent production, but one thing you can depend on is them winning at home.
They were pushed hard for 60 minutes by a young French side but ultimately came out on top in Dunedin.
Will Jordan scored twice, and Tupou Vaa’I, and Jordie Barrett also crossed for the Kiwis. Mickaël Guillard, Gabin Villiere, and Cameron Woki scored for France.
Both sides were wobbly in defence and showed signs of rust and unfamiliarity. It sets the series up well for the next two weekends in Wellington and Hamilton, but France – like England last year – may look back at an opportunity missed.
QUICK START
France may have been lacking their stars, but they started with confidence after their win over England two weeks ago. Joris Segonds knocked over an early penalty.
Things were going well in defence too. Fullback Theo Attissogbe came up with an important intercept as the All Blacks appeared set to break through.
He then led an attack off a scrum, and after Gael Fickou drove to the line, number 8 Guillard powered through for the first try.
New Zealand shook off their early torpor though and before you knew it, they were ahead.
France failed to control kick off, and after the hosts went through the phases, Beauden Barrett broke the line and flicked a simple pass out with for Jordan to collect and score.
Tupou Vaa’I then earned his reward for an impressive first quarter, when he crashed over after good play by Damian McKenzie.
KEEP ON FIGHTING
France didn’t roll over and after another fiercely fought breakdown, Nolann Le Garrec kicked the visitors to within a point.
However, their defensive wobbles continued, and they couldn’t close out the half as Jordie Barrett marked his return home with a try in the corner.
Villiere finished off a move to mark a frantic start to the second half. It continued moments later as Jordan swept round off his wing to take Beauden Barrett’s pop pass and score his second.
Back France came. Cam Roigard hauled down Jacobus van Tonder after the France replacement broke the line and raced away. France recycled and Woki burrowed through.
LATE CHARGE
For a minute or two the scoring stopped as the teams caught their breath. Then Villiere went to the sinbin to ramp up the noise.
Billy Proctor and Jordan had tries ruled out, but by now the All Blacks were well on top. France were scrambling well but had issues clearing their half.
New Zealand couldn’t capitalise on their dominance and France stayed in the fight with Attissogbe doing brilliantly to deny a Beauden Barrett chip and collect.
Beauden Barrett’s late penalty meant France had to score a try. With five to go they finally reached the All Blacks’ 22, but Romain Taofifenua knocked on as they built pressure and that was that.
New Zealand Starting XV (1-15) Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Ardie Savea, Christian Lio-Willie, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
New Zealand Replacements (16-23) Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi, Samipeni Finau, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie
France Starting XV (1-15) Giorgi Beria, Gaetan Barlot, Rabah Slimani, Hugo Auradou, Tyler Duguid, Alexandre Fischer, Killian Tixeront, Mickael Guillard, Nolann Le Garrec, Joris Segonds, Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Emilien Gailleton, Tom Spring, Theo Attissogbe
France Replacements (16-23) Pierre Bourgarit, Paul Mallez, Regis Montagne, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Jacobus van Tonder, Baptiste Jauneau, Antoine Hastoy