French second-stringers push All Blacks all the way

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand had to work hard for a win over a second-string French team in Dunedin on Saturday.

Despite outscoring Le Bleus by four tries to three, the All Blacks were left to defend desperately in the final 10 minutes to hang on for a 31-27 win.

Will Jordan scored two tries to secure the tense victory, as the All Blacks held on to take the first match of the three-Test series against a France side fielding eight debutants.

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New Zealand wing Sevu Reece lasted less than a minute as poor technique in a tackle saw him dazed and helped from the field with a head injury.

It forced an immediate reshuffle, with Jordan moving from fullback to the right wing, and Damian McKenzie coming off the bench. It clearly rattled the All Blacks.

The young French side took the lead from a penalty in the seventh minute and extended it to 10 points soon after when No.8 Mickael Guillard crossed next to the posts.

New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett thought he had scored moments earlier, after Cam Roigard split the line and fed him for an easy try, only for it to be pulled back for a knock-on in the build-up.

But the home side’s response was swift. Jordan scored his first of the match on the end of a pinpoint Beauden Barrett cut-out pass.

Tupou Vai’i gave New Zealand the lead for the first time moments later, crashing under the posts as the attack started to click on the back of fierce defensive work.

Jordie Barrett did score a try just before half-time, diving like a slip fielder to catch a Jordan pass on the right wing, before finding his feet and plopping over.

But France would not lie down and hit back almost immediately from the second-half kickoff.

Rieko Ioane, playing on the wing for the first time in four years, bobbled the restart, allowing France good territory and Gabin Villiere scored to cut the deficit to a single point at 21-20.

Jordan scored his second of the match – his 40th Test try – to restore an eight-point advantage but again France wouldn’t give in.

Replacement Jacobus Van Tonder broke the All Blacks line and fell just short of the posts, allowing Cameron Woki to cross off the back.

France were reduced to 14 after try-scorer Villiere was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-down, but New Zealand couldn’t capitalise.

Billy Proctor and Jordan had tries disallowed for a knock-on and obstruction respectively, as the television match official drew loud boos from the capacity crowd.

A Beauden Barrett penalty extended the lead to 31-27 with six minutes remaining but France immediately gained territory as they searched for the winning try with the clock ticking down.

A knock-on with 90 seconds remaining allowed the All Blacks to regain possession and hang on for a hard-fought victory.

Man of the match: We can start with French wing Gabin Villière, despite his yellow card, and fullback Theo Attissogbe for his sublime and effective covering at the back. The most productive French forward was flank Killian Tixeront, who even came back on as backline cover in the second half. As always, Ardie Savea was near the top of the All Black pile. There was fullback Will Jordan, who came within a whisker of a hat-trick. Our award goes to New Zealand flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who marshalled the game very well, added to a flawless kicking game and may have made the No.10 jersey his own.

The scorers

For New Zealand
Tries: Jordan 2, Vaai, J Barrett
Cons: B Barrett 4
Pens: B Barrett

For France
Tries: Guillard, Villiere, Woki
Cons: Le Garrec 3
Pens: Segonds 2

Yellow card: Gabin Villiere (France, 54 – cynical foul, deliberate knock-on)

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.

France: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Tom Spring, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Killian Tixeront, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Tyler Duguid, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Giorgi Beria.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)