Nov 12, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
PARIS — France beat New Zealand 30-29 in Paris on Saturday in a thrilling Test match to record their third straight win over the All Blacks.
Led by captain Antoine Dupont and thanks to the boot of fly-half Thomas Ramos, France produced a performance that had the thousands in attendance at Stade de France on the edge of their seats from the first whistle to the last.
It was the visitors however who looked the more dangerous early on.
France clinched the first points of the evening after an early penalty from the boot of Ramos but it was short-lived. Peter Lakai — who hadn’t long been on the pith having come on for the injured Samipeni Finau in the opening minute — scored after some scintillating play from New Zealand and an outstanding individual effort from Ardea Savea.
The flanker found himself with the ball on the left wing and danced through the French defence to set up the opening try.
The match developed into a furious back and forth with both teams keen to run the ball. One minute France were under pressure, the next they had regained possession and forced New Zealand back where they came from.
Antoine Dupont led France to a thrilling win over New Zealand. ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images
But New Zealand struck a second time. Scrum-half Cam Roigard snatched the ball from France No. 8 Gregory Alldritt off a scrum and cruised though for a try, putting his side 12-3 ahead with Beauden Barrett slotting the conversion.
France, knowing failure to score next would be catastrophic, responded.
Dupont steered his side around the pitch brilliantly, using the forwards to build pressure and pin the All Blacks back on their line. He picked his moment to spin the ball wide to Ramos. He found debutant fullback Buros, who in turn held off Seve Reece to score to the left of the post, bringing the score to 14-10 after Ramos converted.
New Zealand were slow to start in the second half and were made to pay. France stormed forward, winning a lineout on the All Blacks’ five-metre line and driving forward, finished off with a try by Paul Boudehent. Ramos calmly slotted the kick from the sideline to level the score.
Both sides remained determined to keep the ball alive, lobbing offloads where possible and New Zealand were stung in the 51st minute. Ramos pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and placed an excellent kick through the All Blacks’ defence for the lightning quick Louis Bielle-Biarrey to chase. The winger got there first to score France’s third, which Ramos again converted.
The match then simmered, and the tension built as penalties took the score to 30-29 with six minutes to play.
New Zealand threw everything at their opponents, who were desperate for victory after a year of mixed fortunes.
The home side held on for a much-deserved win, while the All Blacks suffered their first defeat of the autumn international series.
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