All Blacks square series in gruelling battle
By Chris Foley, 21 Jun 2009 Chris Foley is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, France Rugby, Graham Henry, Rugby Union
A determined All Blacks side battled their way to a 14-10 win over France in a bruising second rugby Test here on Saturday to level the series.
The sides scored a try apiece, with the telling difference being the kicking of the New Zealanders, who landed three penalties in atrocious wintry weather while France were rewarded with a conversion and a penalty.
Apart from the scrums, where France again dominated, New Zealand showed they had learned from their shortcomings when beaten 27-22 in the first Test last week.
They led 8-0 at halftime and were never behind at any stage in the match as their forwards took control of the breakdown.
The four-point margin was not enough for the All Blacks to retain the Dave Gallaher Trophy at stake in the Test series between the two countries.
New Zealand needed to win by six points or more to make up the points differential but that was not an issue for coach Graham Henry, who said that bouncing back from last week’s loss mattered most to him.
“We’re just pleased we won. We improved from last week. If we hadn’t improved from last week we would have been in trouble,” he said.
“The forwards, in the set piece, set us a platform and six, seven and eight (loose forwards Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer and Kieran Read) I thought played very well.
“The game was a bit of a lottery because of the conditions obviously, but the best team won.”
That was not a sentiment shared by French captain Thierry Dusautoir.
“We are happy to have won the trophy but we thought we could have won the game as well,” he said.
“We have shown our players can play against the best in the world.”
Although France were expecting a New Zealand backlash, they were unable to handle the ferocity of the All Blacks forwards in the early exchanges.
The wind and driving rain dictated that it would not be attractive rugby and the match was riddled with handling errors.
The All Blacks opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a try to Ma’a Nonu after Isaac Ross and Latimer had sparked a series of All Blacks drives at the line which lasted until France eventually ran out of defensive numbers.
Stephen Donald, who did not have a comfortable night in the wind, missed the conversion but landed his first penalty from three attempts just before halftime for the All Blacks to turn 8-0 ahead.
Five minutes into the second half a brilliant solo effort by French winger Heymans narrowed the gap as he stepped around four would-be tacklers in a 50 metre run to the line.
Julien Dupuy added the extras and France trailed 8-7 but that was as close as they would get.
They had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Heymans chipped through and winger Vincent Clerc latched on to the ball metres from the line but he dropped it when tackled by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn.
The All Blacks regained the initiative with Nonu and Kieran Read both going close before Donald landed his second penalty and New Zealand led 11-7 with 35 minutes remaining.
Luke McAlister, a replacement for Donald, landed a penalty into the wind to extend the All Blacks lead to 14-7 before French replacement Dmitry Yachvili replied to close out the scoring.
In a dramatic closing 15 minutes the All Blacks and France both pressured the try line but the defence of both sides remained rock solid
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- Explore:
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Jerry said | June 21st 2009 @ 8:50am | Report comment
I wouldn’t say France dominated the scrums. They had the early going, but after about 20 minutes I’d say the AB’s had the edge if anything.
I thought the countback system for determining the trophy was odd – not that an aggregate points system was used, but that it required the AB’s to score MORE points than the French to retain (I figure it’s probably something like ‘if points are even, the winner of the first test gets the trophy).
And how crap was Jonker? Letting both teams flop all over the tackle and play it on the ground, missing multiple knock ons and seemingly completely lost. Good to know it’s not just when the Sharks are playing that he’s awful.
CronullaKiwi said | June 21st 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Agreed, france did not dominate the scrums Chris you need to watch the tape again. And Jonker was a disgrace he misses so many things. | thought the AB pack was awesome, especially Thorney, Kaino and Tialata. Worst game Donald has ever played in the black jersey and there are serious question marks over him. He could easily have lost it for us.
katzilla said | June 21st 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Probably the best game i’ve seen Thorn play in the Black jersey.
All three Loose forwards were outstanding and it was very heartening to see Latimer step up to the 7 role. Read was excellent with Ball in hand and Kaino provided the physicality that we needed at the breakdown and in close quarter defence.
Thorn was so fired up he was taunting the french in close to run it at him.
There was alot of flopping on the ball to protect it from both teams, and in this regard i’m not too fussed at Jonker because at least he was consistent across both teams.
Mills had a shocker and if not for CJ on two occasions that game was lost.
Donald………….enough said.
Cowan too slow and not threatening at all, Weepu is obviously our best halfback by a country mile.
Nonu strong, Smith consistent, Rok career over.
johnno42 said | June 21st 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
i’m just a bit amused by the headlines here in OZ. last week the abs were “comprehensively beaten” by 5 points and this week “ab’s lucky to narrowly avoid a series whitewash” by 4 points…i’m just hoping that the french can repeat their performances next week…
Nick P-G said | June 21st 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Latimer was awesome. Big Kev Mealamu impressed me too.
They are both clearly fetcher type players who did exactly what they do best, cause trouble at the break-down.
They proved the break-down won the game for the French last week by winning it this week and turning the tables of the score board.
That being said neither France nor NZ really impressed me. I dont fear them in the least come Tri-Nations.
Katipo said | June 21st 2009 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Hey Chris,
Shouldn’t your headline be “All Blacks lose series in gruelling battle.”
The Dave Gallagher Trophy is now held by France for the first time.
Congratulation to France for winning the series.
Jerry said | June 21st 2009 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
I heard a bit of talkback with some callers (and that moron Murray Deaker) bagging the AB’s for kicking it out at the end instead of going for a score to win the trophy. Utter bollocks, win the test first and foremost. Apparently Henry didn’t even tell the players the formula to win the trophy as he wanted them to concentrate on winning the match by any margin necessary.
Katipo said | June 21st 2009 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
Isn’t that a glaring oversight by Henry?
Congratulations to France again for lowering the NZ flag in the series. I think they are only the seventh team to achieve a series victory in NZ. Great effort by them.
Jerry said | June 21st 2009 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
No, it was a deliberate choice rather than an oversight. He felt worrying about winning by a certain margin, rather than just winning the game, would detract from the performance.
And despite France winning the trophy, this doesn’t qualify as a series victory.
Frank O'Keeffe said | June 21st 2009 @ 6:59pm | Report comment
A phenominal result for France.
I don’t like that France are one of only six teams to win a series on New Zealand soil when they only won one Test. It doesn’t feel right to me.
All the same it was advertised as a series, called a series, there was a trophy, and it went to France.