France vs New Zealand LIVE: Rugby result and final score as All Blacks conclude 2021 Autumn Nations Series
Les Bleus clinched a first victory over the All Blacks since 2009 and a first win at the Stade de France since 1973
France held off a second-half fightback from New Zealand to claim a 40-25 victory in Paris and end a 14-match losing streak against the All Blacks.
New Zealand, looking for an immediate response to last weekend’s 29-20 loss to Ireland, trailed 24-6 at half-time as a rampant Les Blues took complete control at the Stade de France.
However, three tries in 12 minutes after the interval - from Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Ardie Savea - saw New Zealand close to within two points of their hosts at 27-25, as well as becoming the first team in Test match history to score 100 tries in a single season.
At that point French hopes of a first win over the three-time World Cup winners since 2009 looked to be fading fast, but an incident in the 63rd minute saw the pendulum swing back their way.
Savea was sin-binned to reduce New Zealand to 14 men and France took full advantage with Melvyn Jaminet slotting over the resulting penalty before Damian Penaud broke away for an interception try.
At 37-25 down, there was no way back for New Zealand and France, who had seen Peato Mauvaka score twice either side of Romain Ntamack’s try in a dominant first-half display, wrapped up a memorable win with Jaminet’s late penalty.
France 14-6 New Zealand
21 mins: Barrett flights a kick out to Bridge, which briefly caught out Penaud, but the France winger was able to change direction and make the tackle, forcing the knock-on.
France 14-6 New Zealand
19 mins: France were able to build the phases, with Jonathan Danty having a couple of carries into forwards. Ntamack then lines up a drop-goal but he doesn’t get a good connection on it at all and it doesn’t threaten the posts.
France 14-6 New Zealand
17 mins: France keep the ball from the lineout before Dupont tries to carry the ball into a couple of bruising New Zealand forwards! France then win the penalty and Jaminet clears.
France 14-6 New Zealand
16 mins: New Zealand make a break through Rieko Ioane and get close to the line but France are able to regather their numbers in the corner and force the All Blacks to switch directions. Barrett’s pass outside is slightly behind Bridge, who sends his man down before Fickou gets across to force him out into touch.
TRY! France 14-6 New Zealand (NTAMACK 13’)
Sensational from France! It’s wonderful from Ntamack - his return to fly-half has lifted France from the off. He faked a pass to his outside before driving through the middle of two New Zealand players and diving for the line.
Jaminet adds the two points from a slight angle.
France 7-6 New Zealand
12 mins: Damian Penaud spins away from a tackle to gain good ground from France, France are back in the New Zealand 22!
France 7-6 New Zealand (J Barrett pen 9’)
France go long at the lineout but the throw goes too long and Savea makes the break following a Coles offload.
France then concede the penalty for being offside and New Zealand take another kick at goal, as Barrett hits his second penalty in quick succession.
France 7-3 New Zealand (J Barrett pen 7’)
France make some big tackles following the restart as New Zealand look to carry - but the play comes back after France committed a penalty at the breakdown.
Jordie Barrett gets the All Blacks off the board from 35 yards or so. He made that look pretty simple.
TRY! France 7-0 New Zealand (Mauvaka 2')
What a start for the hosts! From the lineout, France gather the ball and the maul is powered over the line by Peato Mauvaka!
And wow, the conversion from full-back Melvyn Jaminet is sublime from the touchline. France are seven up inside four minutes.
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