New Zealand outclassed France 39-12 with an impressive mix of power and skill to end a successful European tour in spectacular fashion on Saturday.
The All Blacks, who beat Wales, Italy and England in their previous outings, ran in five tries on Marseille’s Velodrome pitch and superb flyhalf Dan Carter did the rest by kicking 14 points from four conversions and two penalties.
France, who had posted wins over world champions South Africa and Samoa, could not match a ruthless display by the visitors and had to be content with three penalties by scrumhalf Julien Dupuy and a drop goal from flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc.
While the Springboks slumped to defeats by France and Ireland, New Zealand used their autumn Tests to strongly suggest they were back on top of the rugby world and will leave full of confidence to prepare for next year’s World Cup on home soil.
Playing in white shirts, the All Blacks soon found gaps in the French defence with fluent moves from their backs, notably speedy wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, who scored their first try before setting up fullback Mils Muliaina for the second.
A third by flanker Jerome Kaino followed, enabling the visitors to change sides leading 22-12.
France survived a few more scares in the second half, with notably a string of inspired runs from Carter, before New Zealand piled on two more tries from wing Cory Jane and centre Conrad Smith.
A fight broke out after Smith added to France’s frustration by scoring the visitors’ last try, which Carter converted to complete the scoreboard.
Playing the last four minutes with 14 men, after a yellow card for an infringement by substitute prop Owen Franks, changed little for the All Blacks who were in a class of their own.
France, who have a record for upsetting New Zealand, having done so in the quarterfinals of the 2007 World Cup and again in June in Dunedin, were taught a rugby lesson this time.
All the hosts’ points came in the first half and they looked helpless at times after that, never finding the answer to the visitors’ awe-inspiring challenge. – Reuters