Late Barrett try secures All Blacks series sweep of France
June 23, 2013, Sunday
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NEW Zealand replacement Beauden Barrett's 80th-minute try from a sweeping counter-attack helped the All Blacks to a flattering 24-9 victory over France in New Plymouth yesterday to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
The All Blacks, near perfect in their 30-0 win in Christchurch a week ago, lacked the same level of execution against a fired-up French side, which was let down in the final 10 minutes when lock Yoann Maestri was sin-binned for an apparent head butt.
Flyhalf Daniel Carter kicked 14 points and winger Ben Smith added a contentious first-half try that looked like he had lost control of the ball as he slid in under two defenders.
France scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussain slotted two penalties and center Florian Fritz added a drop-goal for the visitors who had openly stated they were using the three-match series as a chance to develop new players for the 2015 World Cup.
That they pushed the world champions so close after making eight changes from their side that lost last week only proved that coach Philippe Saint-Andre's planning was at least on track.
Sealed the match
The All Blacks were lucky to get away with the first test 23-13 at Eden Park in Auckland and really only sealed the match last week in Christchurch in the final 25 minutes.
Yesterday in New Plymouth they were again hounded at the breakdown and found the visitors' set-piece a lot more organized and resolute than the first two matches.
"Credit to the French they really stuck at it," All Blacks captain Kieran Read said in a televised interview. "A three-match series is quite tough away from home and they showed the quality side they are."
But for some wayward goal-kicking from Doussain in the first half, when the scrumhalf missed two eminently kickable penalties, the visitors could have gone into the break with a lead despite the All Blacks' playing a high-tempo style with quick ball and runners wide of the ruck to stretch the defense.
"I was really impressed with the way the French turned up to play," Carter said.
(Reuters)
The All Blacks, near perfect in their 30-0 win in Christchurch a week ago, lacked the same level of execution against a fired-up French side, which was let down in the final 10 minutes when lock Yoann Maestri was sin-binned for an apparent head butt.
Flyhalf Daniel Carter kicked 14 points and winger Ben Smith added a contentious first-half try that looked like he had lost control of the ball as he slid in under two defenders.
France scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussain slotted two penalties and center Florian Fritz added a drop-goal for the visitors who had openly stated they were using the three-match series as a chance to develop new players for the 2015 World Cup.
That they pushed the world champions so close after making eight changes from their side that lost last week only proved that coach Philippe Saint-Andre's planning was at least on track.
Sealed the match
The All Blacks were lucky to get away with the first test 23-13 at Eden Park in Auckland and really only sealed the match last week in Christchurch in the final 25 minutes.
Yesterday in New Plymouth they were again hounded at the breakdown and found the visitors' set-piece a lot more organized and resolute than the first two matches.
"Credit to the French they really stuck at it," All Blacks captain Kieran Read said in a televised interview. "A three-match series is quite tough away from home and they showed the quality side they are."
But for some wayward goal-kicking from Doussain in the first half, when the scrumhalf missed two eminently kickable penalties, the visitors could have gone into the break with a lead despite the All Blacks' playing a high-tempo style with quick ball and runners wide of the ruck to stretch the defense.
"I was really impressed with the way the French turned up to play," Carter said.
(Reuters)
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