New Zealand have beaten France 49-14 in Dunedin in the third Test and wrapped up the series 3-0 in an exciting game.
With the yellow and red cards from the first two matches fans were really hoping that this final match of the series would see both sides have a chance to show off their very best for the full 80 minutes, and we weren’t disappointed.
The French took the game to the All Blacks right from the outset and ran hard into the defence over and over racking up passages of play that included over 15 phases consistently.
The All Blacks defence had to work hard to keep the French out and they did that for the first 12 minutes but eventually the French found the gap and Serin dived in after a lovely dummy created some space.
It was deserved reward and gave the French confidence and faith that their approach could work. In the rest of the first half they would have lots of possession and territory and played very well.
They were able to put the All Blacks under genuine pressure at times but the problem was that they just weren’t quite clinical enough.
For the Kiwis they had far fewer chances in the first half but when they did have a chance they made the most of it. Whenever they entered the French 22 they looked dangerous and often came away with points.
Their second try was a very canny piece of play. They had a line out on the French 5m line and everyone assumed they would go for the driving maul, and they did.
However instead of throwing the ball high to someone line Scott Barrett, they threw it flat to Todd at the front of the line and drove from there.
It took the French by surprise and they couldn’t get any decent opposition against the drive.
Of course this series has been impacted by controversy as big decisions seem to have gone against the French and while there were no cards today there was still time for some more controversy.
The game was all square with less than 10 minutes until halftime and the All Blacks had a scrum in midfield just outside the French 22.
A lovely pass from Aaron Smith put McKenzie in a nice gap and he ran in to score. However replays showed that the space was partly created by the referee obstructing the French No.9 as he tried to get over to make the tackle.
It looked like the score would be overturned and the scrum reset but instead the score was given. It wasn’t necessarily a game-defining moment, but it did give the Kiwis the lead before halftime and their score just after halftime did make the gap too big for the French to overcome.
In the second half the game was still there in the balance but the All Blacks were pretty brutal. They had found a rhythm that was missing in the opening 15 to 20 minutes and as they moved through the gears the French were finding it harder and harder to stay with them.
In defence the French always worked hard but they were never going to be able to keep the All Blacks out as wave after wave of attack came at them.
In the tight the Kiwis played accurately and got rid of many errors that haunted them in game two. In the loose the Kiwis exploited space well and the likes of McKenzie and Ioane were only too happy to use their pace to pile the pain on the visitors.
In attack the French had some real issues with their set-piece – especially their line out. It fell to pieces in the second half to the point where the French would have to tap and go with penalties in their own half when they would have been desperate to kick to touch and gain 30m for free.
When they did have the ball they looked good but not great. They have really missed Fofana who had a good game and added a real threat. But they never really unlocked the All Blacks defence and in the end they scored zero points in the entire second half.
For the Kiwis there were some really good performances. Scott Barrett was fantastic all game and was an incredible force to be reckoned with. McKenzie had a good game at No.10 and brought some genuine control to his already well-known running game.
He’s not a real threat to Beauden Barrett for the starting fly-half position but he’s growing into a great second choice who can be relied upon.
Ioane scored a nice hattrick in just 12 minutes in the second half and looked dangerous all night and it was great to see Sonny Bill Williams back in black and looking so powerful. His off loads were great and really gave some go forward to the Kiwi’s attacks.
The French have been beaten in all three games relatively easily but they should go home with some extra confidence to take into the Autumn Internationals and next year’s 6 Nations. They have some real talent and have shown great heart in this series when things have gone against them.
For the All Blacks this game was a good note to end the series on but they will know that Australia and South Africa will pose a much harder threat in the Rugby Championship.
Final score
All Blacks 49
France 14
ukkiwi
Roar Rookie
i disagree with the statement France 'have shown great heart in this series when things have gone against them'. While they played pretty well in the second test when down to 14 men, France have absolutely fallen to pieces when the yellow card in the first test. France lost it in the third test just before 1/2 time when the left winger made a break setting up an assault on the AB's line and there was no punch in the French attack, they were shuffling the ball from side to side, each of them waiting for their team mates to do something. after that attack I knew they were in for a thrashing. I do agree the AB's clicked in to gear and Scott Barrett was awesome, I also agree they have some real talent, Teddy Tomas is unbelievable at finding space.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep well the mud fest at Newlands???? Mate I really don't think that today's game we know what a mud fest is, mainly due to the vastly improved drainage systems we have now at virtually ALL the main venues. Back in the day, I can remember, when we would virtually play in mud. Mud well up over our ankles. Now that's what I call a mud fest!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Most people don't complain about the calls that go in your favour. It exposes the motivation of the complaints, its not your want all the right decisions, you just want them to go in your favour.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Reiko when he went to centre was brilliant
cuw
Guest
wonder why she did not give a FRENCH name :D Introducing the 'prime miniature'! New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, 37, reveals her newborn baby girl to the world - settling on a classic Irish name meaning 'bright and radiant' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5878629/New-Zealand-PM-Jacinda-Ardern-37-introduces-newborn-baby-girl-Neve-world.html
cuw
Guest
it was a pity TAUFUA did not get a chance - i think he will come into the mix more than TODD - simply coz he can cover all 3 positions. versatility becomes the key word for a world cup squad - so even little Barret will have a bigger chance than GOODHUE or even DAGG. but i still wonder why they went with HEMOPO - he was ok but i think TOM FRANKLIN is very unlucky , coz he has been playing very well at 5 and 6. just wonder if it is an age thing? i think lot of the specialist players who are very good but are on the fringes - may missout on world cup unless there is a spate of injuries . like DILLON HUNT , DAVID HAVILI , even FRIZZELL and LUKE WHITELOCK
cuw
Guest
the kind of conditions teams will find in JAPAN , even without a roof on most days. far cry from the mudfest in Newlands :( if France can up their fitness to play 80 rather than 50 , they will be very dangeros. they have few guys to come in as well - and im sure by next year RAKA will have played for France.
cuw
Guest
the tenacity and the anger - which is not much "seen" in Smith. i think the word is "Combative" .
cuw
Guest
maybe the rest has done him good - coz TODD looked much faster over the grass than he had all super season. but for all the +s of DMAC he did make a few glaring mistakes as well - even an intercepted pass if i remember correct. and his height will be always and issue - if he jumps to contest up-and-unders.
cuw
Guest
yes - many use the ref as a screen i think some prop in Miter 10 once tackled the ref and got banned. i also remember Jackson getting hit by Chris King - the commentary called it a king-hit ! :D but this maybe an area that has to be clarified - or clubbed with the ball carrier / ball hitting ref. while a try looked highly probable , even if Serin got to DMAC - it looked quite ugly.
cuw
Guest
SB was used as a 6 by crusaders ( perhaps at the request of NZ coaches ) but was not persisted with. i think he even played at 6 in a test for a little time. maybe they will try again - or just let him be the so called " Power lock "
kiwi in aus
Guest
Interesting that France haven't cmmented on the AB try that was dis allowed after the ref had said he had seen a clear grounding and the tmo said he couldn't so. Not that it would matter but it would certainly make the french coach seem less bias.
lassitude
Guest
Agree re. Barrett at 6. He may well be the answer agin certain teams and given he'll be on the bench a bit otherwise (after Retallick returns) well worth the go. At this stage he's one of our top 3-4 forwards. It'd be a shame to have him sitting down for 60 minutes.
lassitude
Guest
I agree Ben. It was a 20+ metre gain (without any one being able to tackle) waiting to happen. That part didn't need any help from the ref.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Finally, a good performance by the All Blacks, which was surprising but pleasing given how many debutants there were. Scott Barrett seems to have nailed down that third lock position and Cody Taylor could easily carry on as the incumbent from here on out. I don't think we're any clearer about the makeup of our loose forward trio. Todd had an excellent game but they have shied away from picking him in the past because he's seen as a specialist openside instead of being versatile enough to provide cover for 6 and 8 or even lock. Cane was short of match fitness and Read is coming back soon but blindside seems to be a big void to fill in time for the World Cup. The replacement props I assume will get another chance in the Rugby Championship. I hope they keep Ben Smith at fullback. That's clearly his best position. Jodie Barrett may end up being the starting 15 when Smith retires but for now I would like them to figure out who plays at 14 in a Smith led back three. I don't think Naholo is the answer. I assume Crotty and SBW will continue as the preferred midfield. Williams had his best test in a while. McKenzie played much better in Dunedin than the week before despite a few clangers. it's nice to have a first five who can actually kick goals. The first half was an entertaining game of rugby and the second half was pleasing from an All Blacks fan's perspective. Another poor performance would have been too much to handle.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep hopefully T/man, the new stadium, they are talking about in Christchurch, does have a roof on it, but it does need to be far bigger in seating capacity, than what Dunedin is. Cheers.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Mostly agree Jacko, but apart from Luke Whitelock, Scott Barrett, & most of the rest, what really stood out IMO, is how underrated Matt Todd is. I thought he played a ripper, & did more damage, than what Ardie did, when he was on the paddock. Even the likes of Richie Mo'unga, when he came on, was very tidy. Overall, a really impressive display, by all.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thought Fofana was great, luckily it was goodbye pork pie in el capitano, as it made for a strong midfield. The blocked call aside, ABs went up two gears like the first test. Perhaps they need to play 15 rather than 14.? Sone great tries, great conditions, all June tests should play at Dunedin?cos its the pits here this time if year.
JP Bogers
Roar Rookie
Maybe a new back up half back to Smith? I don't rate perenara... But it's what shag sees in him I guess
Johnny Boy
Guest
I am struggling to see why you were so impressed with Frizell. He lacked physicality, was off the pace imo and missed a couple of tackles. I'm not writing him off as it was just his first test but no way is he better than Squire at this stage. Was really impressed with Hemopo though. Also wouldn't mind seeing Barrett given a go at blindside against a team like Argentina to see what he can offer in that position. He and Hemopo could bring that much needed physicality to that position, something that Collins and Kaino have provided us over the last 15 years