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.
Scotland 19-9 Japan, 44 minutes
Jaunty from Scotland, trying a chip kick inside their own half but finding only Japanese hands, and the visitors can attack again. Jack Cornelsen makes an outstanding charge and gets an offload away! On Japan go through Craig Millar.
PENALTY! Scotland 19-9 JAPAN (Rikiya Matsuda penalty, 43 minutes)
No thought of trying a scrum with Scotland shorn of a prop - Japan again opt to try and take the points, and Rikiya Matsuda puts the ball between the uprights to claim them and narrow the lead.
YELLOW CARD! Jamie Bhatti is sin-binned! (Scotland 19-6 Japan, 43 minutes)
Jamie Bhatti crashes into opposite number Craig Millar as he and a Scottish teammate double-tackle the Japan loosehead, but Bhatti tumbles on the wrong side and blocks speedy ball with chances presenting themselves for Japan. It isn’t necessarily cynical, but Brendon Pickerill has lost patience with Scotland’s naughtiness - off to the bin for ten minutes Bhatti is sent.
Scotland 19-6 Japan, 42 minutes
Advanced attacking possession for Japan, who throw the lineout perfectly on the Scottish ten-metre. Kotaro Matsushima half-steps through a half-gap to win the gainline and Japan have an advantage as some lovely hands from Ryoyo Nakamura put Siosaia Fifita into space.
Scotland then infringe again as Japan reach the five-metre...
Scotland 19-6 Japan, 41 minutes
Can Japan get back in this? They’ll need a score soon, you’d say, if they are to have a hope. They play with the same ambition as in the first half and Rikiya Matsuda is taken high by Grant Gilchrist as he darts for a rapidly closing hole. Just a penalty.
RESUMPTION!
Stuart Hogg drop-kicks and the second half is underway!
The players re-emerge
“I think Japan have looked really dangerous, “ says Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings, not in the matchday squad, as he has a chat with the broadcasters as the two sets of players trot back out on to the Murrayfield surface.
Japan have made a change - Dylan Riley is on in the backline, replacing Shogo Nakano.
Japan a touch unfortunate
The scoreline is a little harsh on Japan, who have probably played the more consistent rugby so far but have struggled to convert possession into points. When asked to defend, they’ve been a little porous - Scotland have scored on almost every visit to the Japan 22. You wouldn’t say they are entirely out of this, though, given the adventure with which they have played - but it will be a tough ask to overturn a 13-point deficit if heads begin to drop after that stroke of halftime Darcy Graham score.
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