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.
Wales 13-13 Australia
32 mins: Big turnover from Australia in the scrum. Wales had the Wallabies in the corner following the restart and the visitors were smart to slow things down at the set-piece. Australia then win the penalty from the scrum, as tempers flare between the two packs, and White clears.
Wales 13-13 Australia (O’Connor pen 28’)
Australia, still playing with 13, look to keep the ball and build the phases and eventually win the penalty in the Wales half.
O’Connor levels the scores from in front of the posts.
TRY! Wales 13-10 Australia (ELIAS 23’)
Wales take the lead, and it’s a fine move from the lineout immediately after Beale’s yellow card! Tomos Williams spins away from the ruck and times his pass to his outside to perfection. Ryan Elias, who scored two tries against Fiji last weekend, is there to cross over in the corner.
Biggar then nails a brilliant conversion from the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Wales 6-10 Australia (Beale)
23 mins: Wales swiftly move the ball across the field after retaining the ball from the lineout - and they suddenly have the man over on the right wing in Rees-Zammit.
Nick Tompkins’ pass is cut out by Kurtley Beale - but this appears to be a slap-down, a deliberate knock-on.
After a lengthy discussion with the TMO, Adamson shows Beale a yellow card and Australia are down to 13!
Wales 6-10 Australia
21 mins: Brilliant defending from White denies Rees-Zammit a certain try as he sweeps up in the corner following a smart kick from Biggar.
White’s momentum carries him out and Wales still have the ball in excellent field position.
Wales 6-10 Australia (O’Connor pen 19’)
Brilliant response from Australia - Slipper makes a strong carry and then Tupou takes up the charge as finds a nice line through the Wales defence.
Australia had the penalty advantage but it comes back. The Wallabies take the kick at goal and O’Connor converts.
Wales 6-7 Australia (Biggar pen 15’)
Biggar pulls Wales back to within one point as he chips over from in front of the posts.
RED CARD! Wales 3-7 Australia (Rob Valetini)
Australia are down to 14 after Rob Valetini is shown a red card for a dangerous high tackle.
“He’s come at distance, he’s come at speed, I’m seeing a high-degree of danger. There’s no mitigation,” says referee Mike Adamson.
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