France shock All Blacks
France produced a superb defensive display to beat the All Blacks 27-22 in a hard-fought first Test in Dunedin.
Last Updated: 15/06/09 2:30pm
France produced a superb defensive display to beat the All Blacks 27-22 in the first Test in Dunedin, recording their first victory on New Zealand soil since 1994 in the process.
The contest was the sides' first meeting since France's 2007 World Cup victory, but Graham Henry's men were unable to exact revenge as they were outscored by three tries to two.
Francois Trinh-Duc, William Servat and Maxime Medard all touched down for Les Bleus, while Liam Messam and Ma'a Nonu responded for the hosts.
However, they came up short as Leicester's Julien Dupuy kicked 12 points and France's excellent defensive effort was rewarded as they held on for a memorable victory.
The French will now look to go on and close out a series victory in the second and final Test in Wellington next weekend.
They were on the board as early as the fourth minute at Carisbrook as Dupuy kicked a penalty, although Stephen Donald responded in kind to draw the hosts level eight minutes later.
But shorn of the services of a host of stars including Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Conrad Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, New Zealand struggled for fluency and it was France who claimed the game's first try when Trinh-Duc finished well on the 20-minute mark.
Dupuy landed the conversion and they extended their advantage to 17-3 when Servat bundled over from close range after Medard had been held up just short of the try-line following an incisive run.
Donald reduced the arrears with a penalty just before the break, but there was better to come for the hosts who hauled themselves right back into contention moments later when Messam was left with an unopposed run to the line after a fine break and well-timed pass from winger Cory James.
Donald missed the subsequent conversion, but he drew his side level with penalties on 49 and 57 minutes after the restart.
Dupuy missed a chance to restore the lead when Neemia Tialata was penalised for taking down the scrum, but then found his range to edge the French ahead again with 14 minutes left.
The decisive score then arrived five minutes later as Medard intercepted a short pass from replacement Luke McAlister and sprinted 60 metres to score under the posts.
Dupuy again added the extras and although Nonu replied in the closing stages with a fine one-handed finish in the left corner, it was not enough for the hosts who slipped to only their fifth loss in 36 matches in Dunedin.
