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New Zealand take over in second spell to roll through France

By Sam Warlow

It has been eleven meetings and nearly ten years since France last triumphed over New Zealand.

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A pair of Frenchmen from the side that won at Carisbrook in 2009 still remain – Mathieu Bastareaud and match-sealer Maxime Medard – and both came out looking to break their side’s 11-game duck.

Plenty was made of the French defence leading up to the match, and they didn’t disappoint over the first 40 minutes.

Holding the All Blacks to just eight points – all scored by Beauden Barrett – at the half was the result of stern defensive work and team discipline.

The French defence was up to the challenge when it mattered most, handling tough kicks from Beauden Barrett inside the 22 and holding firm on their goal line to deny Sam Whitelock a lead-stealing captain’s knock before halftime.

France secured the halftime lead through the boot of Morgan Parra and a stroke of luck from winger Remy Grosso.

Parra slotted a pair of penalties from 40m and 51m out respectively while Grosso scored an opportunists’ try just six minutes into the match after collecting a loose Ben Smith pass and taking it 20 metres to score untouched.

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The momentum swung heavily in favour of the All Blacks shortly after the break.

After showing flashes in the first half but being limited by simple errors, the All Blacks came out looking fluid, and were able to draw level in the 47th minute through the boot of Beauden Barrett. Barrett’s kicking opportunity came after a penalty from a monster scrum influenced by debutante Karl Tu’inukuafe, his first scrummaging effort in the black jersey.

Just three minutes later the game well and truly turned on its head for the French.

Lock Paul Gabrillagues was sent from the field after a high shot on All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty, and it was all the All Blacks needed to trigger a shift into high gear.

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In Gabrillagues’ absence the All Blacks crossed twice through Codie Taylor and Ben Smith, with the former dotting down in the corner after beating French winger Teddy Thomas in a foot race and the latter the benefactor of some silky link play from Aaron Smith. The All Blacks kept their foot on the throat once the big lock returned and didn’t look back.

Rieko Ioane and substitutes Damian McKenzie and Ngani Laumape all got on the scoreboard as the All Blacks quickly put up 32 unanswered points in just over 20 minutes to take a commanding 40-11 lead entering the final quarter of play.

The French defence that looked so steady during the first spell had broken down.

After controlling just 34% of possession the French were physically unable to cope with the All Blacks’ second-half attacking barrage and the defensive errors mounted.

Rieko Ioane scored his second try after picking off a pass and scampering 85 metres to scored the All Blacks’ 37th consecutive point.

Damian McKenzie almost had the final say after linking with Ben Smith for another long-range try, but he was ruled in touch by TMO George Ayoub.

Ardie Savea took the All Blacks over the 50-point mark and made it 44 unanswered points with a try in the 78th minute.

The French ended the game with a better tackling percentage but allowed almost 700 metres with ball in hand, while the All Blacks only needed to make 60 tackles in the match.

The teams will meet again next weekend in Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND 52 FRANCE 11 HT: 8-11

In other news:

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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