Match Centre: France 40-25 New Zealand
Romain Ntamack was one of the try-scorer for France
©Steve Haag
France 40-25 New Zealand, Stade de France
Peato Mauvaka starred with a double as France ended a 14-game losing streak against New Zealand as they sealed a 40-25 victory in Paris on Saturday.
This was also a second successive defeat for the All Blacks in the tour after they suffered a 29-20 against Ireland last weekend.
France got off to a flying start with Peato Mauvaka touching down at the back of a powerful maul and fullback Melvyn Jaminet kicked the conversion to race to a 7-0 lead. New Zealand responded back three minutes later when Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty goal after France committed an infringement at the breakdown and followed it with another three-pointer in the 10th minute making it 7-6.
The home side increased the lead further with a brilliant counterattack from Romain Ntamack saw him dot down in the 13th minute. Jaminet kicked the conversion and also followed with a penalty goal around the half-hour mark before Mavuka completed his second try in the 33rd minute.
Jaminet also was spot on with the conversion as France raced to a 24-6 lead at the end of the opening half.
New Zealand had a dominating start to the second with Jordie Barrett and Reiko Ioane crossing over in the 47th and 51st minutes respectively. Jordie also kicked a conversion as the All Blacks increased their tally to 18 points before Jaminet penalty after Penaud had tried to skip around the outside of Ioane ensured the scoreline became 27-18.
The start of the final quarter saw All Blacks making a stern comeback with Ardie Savea powering his way over at the back of a line out and Jordie improved it making it 27-25. However, their resurgence took a beating with Savea sin-binned in the 63rd minute and Jaminet's penalty goal increased France's lead to 30-25.
With 12 minutes left in the game, Penaud made an impact as he stole a loose pass from New Zealand to dot down and the conversion took the Les Bleus to a position of safety with 37-25 before Jaminet kicked a final minute penalty goal to help France end their losing streak against New Zealand.
Team line up:
France: Jaminet; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Reserves: Barlot, Gros, Bamba, R. Taofifenua, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Jalibert.
New Zealand: J. Barrett; Jordan, R. Ioane, Tupaea, Bridge; Mo'unga, Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, A. Ioane, Cane, Savea.
Reserves: Taukeiaho, Bower, Tu'ungafasi, Vaa'i, Frizzel, Weber, McKenzie, Havili.
