All Blacks knocked out by France
Frederic Michalak's clever run and pass sealed the famous win for France
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Saturday, 06, Oct 2007 10:35
Hosts France have set up a World Cup semi-final showdown against England after beating favourites New Zealand 20-18 in an epic match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The French came back from 13-3 down at half-time and scored two wonderful tries in the second half through Thierry Dusautoir and Yannick Jauzion to record a famous win and keep alive their dreams of winning their first World Cup.
Both teams started slowly, but it was the All Blacks who looked the more dangerous when in the opponents half and after Dan Carter converted a penalty, they should have scored the first try of the game.
Luke McAlister brilliantly broke through the French defence but when New Zealand stretched the ball out wide, it was lock Ali Williams who found himself on the left wing and his left leg was dragged into touch by Vincent Clerc as he crossed the try-line.
But New Zealand did not have to wait long to score their first try as McAllister again burst his way past the French defence and this time swapped passes with Jerry Collins to score the try. Carter added the two points and then a penalty to give his team a 13-0 lead.
France played a kicking game instead of their traditional running style of rugby and only had a Lionel Beauxis penalty to show for their first half effort.
But two big incidents in the second half turned the game in favour of the French. First McAlister was sin-binned for a deliberately obstructing Juazion and then the All Blacks lost star player Carter due to a calf injury.
France took advantage of the extra man and scored ten points while McAllister was off the pitch. First they scored a penalty through Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and then Dusautoir crashed over the All Blacks try-line to tie the score at 13-13.
Although New Zealand regained the lead through a Rodney So'oialo try, it was France who responded with a converted try to win the game.
Substitute Frederic Michalak unlocked the All Blacks defence with his first touch of the ball and kept his composure to hand over to Jauzion to touch down. Ellisalde added the conversion and France held on and now face England in Paris next Saturday.