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France 24
13 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
All Blacks survive France challenge to win third Test 29-19
The All Blacks took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as the under-strength tourists faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one. "Stoked with that," said All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, who conceded that his team had been in a battle. "The French turned up tonight. Proud of the boys as well in sticking it out in that first half and then the second half we brought it home." France's bigger forward pack and greater physical commitment helped them dominate the first half. The visitors led 10-0 early and then 19-10 on the stroke of half-time as a New Zealand side featuring 10 starting changes were forced into mistakes. "Around our breakdown and our ball carries they were getting success around that. As a leader, I was guilty of that too," admitted Savea. The hosts played with greater energy and largely dominated the second half, creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts. "We sharpened that up in the second half and were able to build phases and build pressure. We converted it into points," added Savea. The victory sealed the series 3-0 against a touring team who were under-strength after coach Fabian Galthie chose to leave most of his first-choice players at home. "I'm really proud of the boys, the effort we put in today," said France lock Joshua Brennan. "It's a shame we lost but we played against a great All Black team and I'm just proud of the performance." France were highly competitive in the first Test which they lost 31-27 in Dunedin and in Hamilton, but they were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington. 'We've evolved' "These last two weeks, the way we've evolved our rugby as well, I'm really proud," added Brennan. New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018. France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a lineout drive. His conversion and a penalty goal put the visitors 10 points clear before All Blacks wing Will Jordan struck against the run of play, chasing down a clever kick from scrum-half Cortez Ratima to score his 42nd try in 44 Tests. France scored in threes for the remainder of the half, through two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal by fly-half Antoine Hastoy. New Zealand closed to 19-17 when centre Anton Lienert-Brown slid across nearly three minutes after the half-time hooter had sounded, finishing a long phase of pressure. Le Garrec missed a penalty and Hastoy a drop-goal attempt during a tense, scoreless third quarter of the match. The home side edged ahead 22-19 when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try. Kirifi had been promoted to the starting side just before kick-off when Luke Jacobson was ruled out with injury. Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 metres to score the final try to seal the match in the dying minutes. © 2025 AFP
1News
7 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
'Chomping at the bit' — All Blacks now face selection balancing act
After seeing their team perform closer to their potential in the comprehensive win over France in the second Test, the All Blacks' coaches this week face a balancing act of maintaining improving cohesion while giving other players opportunities. It could be tempting to go for wholesale changes – much as France coach Fabian Galthie did to his team in Wellington, to their detriment, in the short term at least, after the visitors pushed the All Blacks all the way in the first Test. Tupou Vaa'i, the converted lock who has thrived in the relatively unfamiliar position of blindside flanker, is almost certainly out of next Saturday's Test at Waikato Stadium after failing a head injury assessment, but was probably due a break anyway, with Samipeni Finau likely to replace him. Indeed, Finau and his Chiefs teammates may be the big selection winners on their home turf for the third and final Test. If Scott Robertson and company want to freshen up their front row, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and Ollie Norris, the latter making his Test debut off the bench in Dunedin and entered last night's game at the Cake Tin as an impact player, will be in the frame. ADVERTISEMENT So will loose forward Luke Jacobson, back after a head injury of his own suffered during the Super Rugby Pacific final, and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who has had the last couple of months off due to a broken collarbone. Another Chiefs player, Emoni Narawa, is likely to retain his place on the right wing after performing well there as a late replacement during the week following Caleb Clarke's ankle sprain in training, and local favourites Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie may form the starting inside back combination. Timoci Tavatavanawai celebrates the All Blacks' win with the Dave Gallaher Trophy. (Source: Photosport) Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister, not required for the first two Tests, will probably make his debut off the bench should the selectors elect to rest Codie Taylor, which is likely. 'We've got a few guys chomping at the bit to get an opportunity and have been helping set the XV up really well for the last couple of weeks,' assistant coach Jason Holland said as the team prepared to fly out of Wellington this morning. 'There's some high energy from some boys dying to have a crack. 'The general mindset was for everybody to get a taste of Test footy over the three games. There's nothing that's changed there.' ADVERTISEMENT Of last night's performance, Holland said: 'We still felt that in the last 20 minutes we could have finished better than we did and really put them away.' But that did not mean there would be any lessening of expectations should the selectors ring the changes for what is a dead rubber – albeit one they are obviously determined to win for a series sweep. 'There will be no lack of motivation to keep getting better and I'm sure the lads will add when they get the opportunity,' he said. The All Blacks' outside backs stocks, already low, have not been helped by Sevu Reece's head injury and Clarke's ankle problem. Depending on whether Reece comes right this week, Rieko Ioane could start again on the left wing, with Ruben Love a possibility to replace Will Jordan at fullback. Holland confirmed the coaches primarily see Love as a fullback who can play first-five, with Jordan, who scored his 41st try in 43 Tests last night, probably due for a rest as is, potentially, Jordie Barrett, who has returned from his sabbatical in Ireland without missing a beat. Scott Barrett's season-ending calf tear means Ardie Savea will likely captain the team again, and in Jacobson and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who both lead their Super Rugby teams, there is enough leadership there without the need to play vice-captain Jordie again. Back-up halfback Noah Hotham is a good chance to win a place on the bench, should the selectors elect to rest Cam Roigard, which is also likely. It is likely, too, that Timoci Tavatavanawai, who enjoyed an emotional Test debut off the bench at the Cake Tin, will play some role next Saturday, either as a starter or an impact player, as the All Blacks continue to refine the power game they will hope troubles South Africa over two Tests in September.
Reuters
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
France team to face Scotland in the Six Nations
PARIS, March 12 (Reuters) - France head coach Fabian Galthie made two changes from the team that crushed Ireland in the line-up he named on Thursday to face Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations finale at the Stade de France, bringing in experienced centre Gael Fickou and scrumhalf Maxime Lucu for the injured Antoine Dupont. Dupont ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments after his knee buckled under pressure from the Irish defence at the back of a ruck. France beat Ireland 42-27 last Saturday and victory against Scotland with a four-try bonus point would give them the title. England and Ireland are still in contention to finish top of the standings. Team: 15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Yoram Moefana, 11-Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Maxime Lucu, 8-Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7-Paul Boudehent, 6-Francois Cros, 5-Mickael Guillard, 4-Thibaud Flament, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Peato Mauvaka, 1-Jean-Baptiste Gros. Replacements: 16-Julien Marchand, 17-Cyril Baille, 18-Dorian Aldegheri, 19-Hugo Auradou, 20-Emmanuel Meafou, 21-Oscar Jegou, 22-Anthony Jelonch, 23-Nolann Le Garrec
