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 7-0 South Africa, 11 minutes
Back to the set-piece as Jonny May drops the ball inside the England 22, but again there is instability and again the decision goes England’s way. Angus Gardner on the touchline spots Trevor Nyakane going to floor first and South Africa are penalised.
England 7-0 South Africa, 8 minutes
That is less good news for England - Tuilagi injured himself in scoring in the corner and he’s had to trudge off! Max Malins is on and has gone to the wing, Joe Marchant slips in to the outside centre channel, and Henry Slade is now at 12.
TRY! ENGLAND 7-0 South Africa (Manu Tuilagi try, 7 minutes)
There’s no stopping Manu Tuilagi from there - the England centre is over in the corner!
It was smart from England, drawing in the South African defence with close n carriers, allowing Marcus Smith to lurk out the back of two forwards. He takes the pass from Ben Youngs and spreads to Henry Slade, who puts his centre partner into space with a fizzed wide ball. A rumble for the line and Twickenham roars as Tuilagi dives over.
Marcus Smith converts from the touchline. What a start for England!
England 0-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
England try to maul with a darty throw to the front from Jamie Blamire hitting a grounded Maro Itoje, but South AFrica defend it well, and Englan will have to play away.
Jonny May shimmies out of two tackles to within ten metres and Maro Itoje carries hard, but the lock is stood up five metres out...
England 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
Andrew Brace whistles once more, and this time it is a penalty! Kyle Sinckler rises with a Chesire Cat grin having forced Ox Nche to ground...
And Marcus Smith kicks for the corner!
England 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
Free kick to England and Courtney Lawes is happy enough to go back into scrum battle.
England 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
After Smith runs it is Ben Youngs using the boot well - dabbed in behind Willie Le Roux who is forced to carry over his own line and ground by two English chasers. A five metre scrum for England, five metres infield on the left. First chance.
England 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
Here comes Freddie Steward! A clean take and a powerful fend as he runs the ball back, and midfield possession for England.
Marcus Smith’s high bomb ends up in English hands too! Another kick, this time more adventurous - Smith’s crossfield number hops beautifully for Harlequins teammate Joe Marchant on the right!
England 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
England are under aerial pressure straightaway but claim the kick-off superbly and put something skywards themselves - Ben Youngs box kick nicely taken by South Africa.
To the skies again! Handre Pollard’s high hoist is fumbled by a leaping Jesse Kriel and Jonny May and falls, fortuitously for the home side, into English hands.
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