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.
France 37 -25 New Zealand
73 mins: France go close to score another scintillating try! Jaminet made the break and carried the ball 50 yards, but France were unable to offload the ball to Dupont and Barrett kicked for touch to relieve the pressure.
France 37 -25 New Zealand
71 mins: Penaud turns to the crowd and pumps his fist as New Zealand knock the ball on, the latest All Blacks error.
France will be happy if this scrum takes a few minutes to set.
TRY! France 37 -25 New Zealand (PENAUD 68’)
WHAT A NOISE inside the Stade de France! It’s a gift for the hosts, as Penaud steals a loose New Zealand pass as the All Blacks looked to play out from their 22.
Penaud was celebrating before he crossed the line and then splashed down with a dive!
France 30-25 New Zealand
66 mins: France win a huge penalty as New Zealand powered back into their half.
Woki is causing chaos all over the pitch and he was crucial to that turnover.
France clear, but Ntamack is making way for France - Jalibert is on!
France 30-25 New Zealand (Jaminet pen 66’)
The full-back adds three more points and suddenly the momentum is back with France.
France 27-25 New Zealand
63 mins: Stunning from Ntamack. Scrambling back to sweep up a New Zealand break and Barrett kick, the fly-half dropped a should and carried the ball out from behind his own try-line!
Woki took up the charge inside the New Zealand half and Savea is sent to the bin for being off his feet as New Zealand frantically tried to recover!
France 27-25 New Zealand
63 mins: Wow - what an incredible passage of play! Ntamack is a magician and France have gone from one end of the pitch to another! And Savea has been shown a yellow card!
TRY! France 27-25 New Zealand (Savea 60’)
There’s a hush in the Stade de France now - New Zealand have reeled in France with three quickfire tries in 20 minutes!
The All Blacks rumble over the line from the lineout, with Savea powering over.
Barrett adds the conversion.
France 27-18 New Zealand
59 mins: New Zealand are back inside the France five-metre line and have a lineout in a promising position...
France 27-18 New Zealand (Jaminet pen 55’)
This is set up perfectly now at the Stade de France - and emotions briefly spill over following the restart as New Zealand concede a quick penalty after Penaud had tried to skip around the outside of Ioane.
Jaminet keeps cool to add the three points.
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