New Zealand take over in second spell to roll through France

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

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.

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.

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

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