By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
New Zealand opened rugby’s inaugural Nations Championship with an ambitious 34-32 win over France in front of almost 30,000 fans in Christchurch on Saturday.
France were missing nine first-choice players, but they were the first to score at Te Kaha, with wing Damian Penaud going over for an uncontested try in the first few minutes of the match, after being put through a gaping hole in the All Blacks defence.
Things then got worse for the hosts with Ruben Love, making his first start at first-five for the All Blacks, yellow-carded for a high tackle in the lead-up to the France’s try.
Despite going down a man, the All Blacks were the next to strike, with wing Will Jordan producing an acrobatic effort to score in the right corner. With Love off the field, Damian McKenzie missed the conversion, before France kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 10-5.
Maxime Lucu’s second penalty edged France back into a one-point lead but New Zealand struck on the cusp of half-time when Cam Roigard darted over after hooker Codie Taylor went close to give the three-time world champions a six-point cushion at the end of a relentless opening half.
France again scored first in the second half through Aintone Hastoy, who was freed by superb passing in close-quarters by Matthieu Jalibert and Theo Attisogbe. The All Blacks replied in kind, with Roigard’s second try from close passing and a one-handed offload by Barrett.
Attisogbe scored off Fabien Brau-Boirie’s pass which cut New Zealand’s lead to 26-25 and on their next, rare incursion into French territory, Love kicked a penalty to make it 29-25.
Jordan’s second try in the 70th minute from an opportunity created by a counter-ruck seemed to give the All Blacks breathing space at 34-25, extending their winning streak at home against France to 17 years.
All Blacks – Tries: Will Jordan (2), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard (2). Conversions: Ruben Love (3). Penalty: Love.
France – Tries: Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, Matthieu Jalibert. Conversions: Maxime Lucu (2), Hastoy. Penalties: Lucu (2).
Meanwhile England fullback George Furbank was taken to hospital with appendicitis after suffering painful symptoms following Friday’s captain’s run.
England have yet to confirm his replacement, but Marcus Smith is likely to wear the No 15 jersey.
On Thursday, Furbank spoke about his tough road back to the England team.
“Just playing felt a long way off at times. Now I have got the opportunity I guess it is about taking it, and I just want to go out and enjoy being back in an England shirt,” he said.
South Africa host England at 17:40 on Saturday, July 4, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in Round 1 of the Nations Championship.