More french misery for All Blacks
By Daniel Gilhooly, 14 Jun 2009 Daniel Gilhooly is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, Francois Trinh-Duc, French rugby, Ma'a Nonu, Rugby Union
At the Rugby World Cup it was devastation. On Saturday night it was utter frustration inflicted on New Zealand by France who were deserved 27-22 winners in the first Test.
A new-look New Zealand side failed to adapt to the rigours of the Test game, outscored three tries to two by opponents who simply played more pragmatic rugby, defending aggressively and adopting a far more accurate kicking game.
Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc and hooker William Servat scored tries as France took an emphatic 17-3 lead after 27 minutes, dominating the match in every area.
New Zealand fought back with a try to No.8 Liam Messam to trail 17-11 at halftime and tied the scores 17-17 after 57 minutes before France pulled away with a late intercept try to fullback Maxime Medard.
France halfback Julien Dupuy kicked three conversions and two penalties to take 12 points from his Test debut, while All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald landed four penalties, also for 12 points.
New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu scored a late try which narrowed France’s margin without disguising the visitors’ superiority.
“It was very tough,” French captain Thierry Dusautoir said. “We were very nervous before the match but we gave our all and won. We are very proud.
“Our defense was good but we also scored three tries which is very important against the All Blacks. We are going to enjoy this victory and prepare again for (the second Test) next week.” The teams play again next Saturday in Wellington.
New Zealand’s loss was only the fifth in 36 Tests at Carisbrook but the second in a row on the Dunedin ground on which they have built a formidable record.
It was only the fourth win for France on New Zealand soil in 22 attempts since 1961.
But it continued French depression for New Zealand coach Graham Henry and his team, nearly two years after their last meeting, the fateful 20-18 World Cup quarterfinal loss in Cardiff.
While the New Zealanders weren’t talking revenge this week, the result would have stung deeply, particularly as they hoping to prove they can play top rugby without injured stars Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter.
A host of other players were missing with injury and the green nature of the team was shown up by the tourists, who rushed effectively on defence and had an edge at the scrum and breakdown areas, overshadowing the raw loose forward trio of Liam Messam, Adam Thomson and Kieran Read.
No one would be hurting more than fullback Mils Muliaina in his first Test as captain, unable to lift his side to a win that appeared on the cards when his team scored 14 unanswered points either side of halftime.
They paid for too many inaccurate kicks of both the long and short, attacking variety.
The All Blacks paid the price for making silly mistakes, falling off tackles and giving up turnover ball, Muliaina said.
“We put ourselves under immense pressure — it was a big learning curve and we have got to learn fast. Next week we got to be a lot better than we were tonight.”
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- Explore:
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Scott The Aussie in Devon said | June 14th 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Whats the bet they whup France next week? However if France DO win, they will have achieved something no NH team except them had done – won 2 test series in NZ. Pretty amazing that is.
johnno42 said | June 14th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
i think you gotta hand it to the french, they were the best side on the night… i recalled thinking “they’ve got more payers on the field, than the all blacks”!!
johnny-boy said | June 14th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Just goes to show what useless coaches Henry Hansen and Smith are – thumped by a French 2nd team. How long will it take NZ to wake up to the fact that Henry Hansen and Smiths incompetence has only been propped up by the brilliance of players like McCaw, Carter and Soialo. Not til after 2011 world cup I suspect
Hayden said | June 14th 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
I’m not too upset by the result. Hats off to the French, they played hard and smart. There is no shame in losing to the French, when they win, they do it in style. If the AB’s are going into a rebuilding phase then this is a great time to be doing it. A full campaign without McCaw, Carter et al is what NZ rugby needs at the moment, methinks.
WLN said | June 14th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
The French can win next week and then they’ll come hunting for the Wallabies. It could be one of their best tours ever. And why not? They have always been great. Mongrel eyegouging, headkicking, hairypalmed forwards with refined palates and accents to charm cheerleaders, combined with backs who you’d swear were wearing Hermes scarves under their jerseys. Juxtaposition to make Bruno orgasmic. No wonder they turned Murray Mexted queer, and taught Peter Fitzsimons enough to score a babe. Vive Champagne Rugby!
Italy on the other hand are as bad as their jersey. Looks like someone in Marrickville rather than Milan was in charge of that one. Memo: note how the French do it(above) – when you wear silk shirts you play soccer or you are a jockey. Both these types of men do not belong on a rugby field.
cookie said | June 14th 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
I’m stone deaf, i mean stone cold deaf….
I swear i could hear someone crying……
Shahsan said | June 14th 2009 @ 10:07am | Report comment
Johnny-Boy — French second team? Why do you say that? I thought it was close to their strongest and based on form? But if it was their second XV, the same is surely true for the ABs?
In any case, it was a good , gripping match. France deserved the win, becuase they played it that much smarter. Something to be said about experience. The test of Henry’s coaching nous will be seen next week.
Colin N said | June 14th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Shahsan,
There were a few first teamers missing such as the big number 8, Parra and the captain Nallet and there was also quite a bit of inexperience in that French side, with the likes of Medard, Dupuy, Trinh-duc, Picamoles and Basteureud. I believe Clerc’s only just come back to form, after a long lay-off through injury. I think it was an untested centre combination as well. But ultimately, they are a set of supermely talented backs, and it was a shame that the French pack couldn’t/didn’t want to give them quick ball. There’s depth in French rugby in most positions, but it’s about getting the right balance and selection, which I still believe they haven’t got. There is a couple of areas that they are weak, like at lock and at openside.
ohtani's jacket, said | June 14th 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Oh yeah, blame the coaches. Here we go.
pothale said | June 14th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
One guy did, OJ. The rest of us don’t know anything about them. Are they good?