All Blacks beat France to level series
New Zealand beat France 14-10 in Wellington to level Test series
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Saturday, 20, Jun 2009 12:20
New Zealand have bounced back from last week's disappointing 27-22 defeat to France to beat Les Bleus 14-10 in Wellington.
Ma'a Nonu scored the All Blacks' only try while Cedric Heymans replied for the visitors.
In lashing rain the sure-footed kicking of New Zealand's Luke McAlister and Stephen Donald helped them overcome Marc Lievremont's side.
The game was beset by mistakes in the opening minutes, as Donald missed two penalties, Damien Traille missed a drop goal attempt and both sides knocked the ball on.
However, the deadlock was broken after 26 minutes. Hooker Keven Mealamu broke through the middle of the French defence before offloading to Joe Rokocoko – who in turn found Nonu who scored in the corner.
The conversion was missed but Donald still gave his team an 8-0 lead at the break after finally slotting through a penalty with his fourth kick at goal.
France got themselves back in the game in stunning style three minutes after the interval.
Heymans received the ball just inside his own half. He then sprinted down the left touchline, sidestepping past the equally speedy Rokocoko before scoring.
Julien Dupuy's made the conversion to take his side to within a point of the hosts but a gap opened up again when Donald converted his second penalty of the game.
The All Blacks were grateful to Brad Thorn who managed to stop Vincent Clerc from scoring a try as the game began to open up.
Substitute Luke McAlister then made it 14-7 to Graham Henry's side before Dimitri Yachvili slotted through a penalty 13 minutes from time.
Although France had cut the gap to four points they could not get back in scoring range and New Zealand held on to level the series.