France beat All Blacks for record-tying third straight time

PARIS (AP) — France shook off a sloppy start to beat New Zealand 30-29 for a record-tying third straight time in a bruising autumn rugby test at Stade de France on Saturday.

The French matched their best winning streak against the All Blacks from 1994-95 in a breathless game that lived up to the hype. The 27 turnovers were testament to ferocious defense on both sides.

New Zealand shot out to 14-3 and 17-10 by halftime. But France flipped the momentum in the new half with converted tries by flanker Paul Boudehent and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, which was the turning point. They sent France ahead 24-17.

From there, France’s Thomas Ramos and New Zealand replacement Damian McKenzie traded penalties to the end with the All Blacks always chasing, and within one point with five minutes to go.

Both teams were faultless off the tee to add to the tension.

“It gives you a lot of confidence to beat a great side like this, especially considering the form they were in and they players they have,” France captain Antoine Dupont said. “There were a lot of times when we were struggling in defense. But we didn’t panic (when we were behind) because we knew we could turn things around.”

The commitment was evident from the second minute when All Blacks flanker Samipeni Finau’s head collided with France prop Tevita Tatafu’s knee. Finau came off and Tatafu endured only a little longer.

Finau’s replacement, Peter Lakai, scored the opening try after Ardie Savea bowled over three defenders. The New Zealand scrum was the platform for its second try, when scrumhalf Cam Roigard stopped No. 8 Grégory Alldritt and stole his intended pass to Antoine Dupont.

Dupont made little impact until the 33rd when France phases narrowed New Zealand and he picked out Ramas to send fullback Romain Buros over for a try on debut.

Boudehent’s brace of second-half tries in the 52-12 win against Japan last Saturday earned him a start and his try from a lineout maul in the 44th tied the score.

“We really wanted to put on a good performance,” Boudehent said. “But we need to keep our feet on the ground. It’s only one match (and) we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.”

New Zealand swung back onto attack but a dropped pass was collected by Ramos who kicked upfield. Bielle-Biarrey then gassed Anton Lienert Brown and Sevu Reece to the ball and scored the decisive try.

France never trailed again.

Ramos went six-for-six kicking for goal, while McKenzie went four for four after taking over from Beauden Barrett.

France has won the last three contests with the All Blacks in the Stade de France; 40-25 in autumn 2021 and 27-13 in the Rugby World Cup opener 14 months ago.

The defeat was New Zealand’s first on its northern tour after beating Japan, England and Ireland. The All Blacks move on to Italy while France hosts Argentina next Friday. ___