All Blacks dig deep to complete series sweep against gritty France
MATCH REPORT: New Zealand staved off a fierce challenge from France, pulling away late to win the third Test 29-19 on Saturday and complete a series clean sweep.
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.
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.
The hosts played with greater energy to largely dominate the second half, creating tries for forwards Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister.
It 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.
France were highly competitive in the first Test which they lost 27-31 in Dunedin and in Hamilton, but they were well beaten 43-17 in the second Test in Wellington.
New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018.
France scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a line-out 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 scrumhalf 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 to flyhalf 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 pushed ahead when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flank Kirifi crossed for his first Test try.
Kirifi was 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 in the dying minutes.
Man of the match: Ardie Savea produced some heroic moments for the All Blacks in some tense situations. However, the award goes to France scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, who gave the All Blacks plenty of problems with his decision-making with ball in hand.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Jordan, Lienert-Brown, Kirifi, McAlister
Cons: McKenzie 3
Pen: McKenzie
For France:
Try: Le Garrec
Con: Le Garrec
Pens: Le Garrec 3
DG: Hastoy
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dalton Papali’i, 20 Christian Lio-Willie, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Jordie Barrett.
France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Gabin Villiere; 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Joshua Brennan, 7 Mickael Guillard, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Matthias Halagahu, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Pierre Bochaton, 22 Thibault Daubagna, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damian Schneider (Argentina) & Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
