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.
England 17-12 South Africa, 42 minutes
But a South African knock-on and England will feed a scrum on their own ten-metre.
England 17-12 South Africa, 41 minutes
Loose start from England - over-eager in trying to charge down South Africa’s clearance and whistled for being offside.
England 17-12 South Africa, 39 minutes
Adventure from South Africa! A deft little chip from Reinach and it nearly bounces South Africa’s way, but Max Malins somehow gathers at full tilt and produces something rather pleasant with his own right boot, a metre shy of a 50:22 as it trickles into touch.
South Africa overthrow the lineout! England possession as the half nears its close...Marcus Smith is back in the pocket...
Clearly Jonny Wilkinson didn’t give him the right advice in training this week - that was a properly ugly drop goal attempt, and that will be the half.
England 17-12 South Africa, 38 minutes
Kyle Sinckler is riled as Cobus Reinach keeps a hold of the England tighthead as the rest of the home forwards try to support Jamie Blamire who had worked a move at the front. The petty squabbling rather distracts England and when Tom Curry is deposited on his back by a double-tackle, England are again penalised for their breakdown clearing work.
England 17-12 South Africa, 36 minutes
This time South Africa are guilty of the same offence. Tom Curry makes a remarkably good tackle on Makazole Mapimpi in space and as two England players arrive to compete, a Springbok dives off his feet.
Henry Slade kicks down the right touchline. Jamie Blamire will throw the lineout inside the South Africa 22.
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