Rugby
1News

BANG! Tuipulotu's sickening hit leaves Frenchman in agony as baby All Blacks roll to victory in Lyon

November 15, 2017

Relive 1 NEWS NOW's live updates of this morning's international match between the All Blacks and a French Selection XV in Lyon.

FT: FXV 23-28 NZL

THAT DOES IT! The ABs come through with a HUGE scrum and get the turnover! They pick and go once from there to make sure time is up before kicking into touch. Brilliant game of rugby and good to see the ABs come out firing in a second half. Discipline really hurt them in the final 20m but they held on when it mattered most. 

79min: FXV 23-28 NZL

One last attack for France as the ABs knock the ball on in the ruck looking for a turnover. Scrum is just outside the ABs 22m on the left side of the field.

78min: FXV 23-28 NZL

Aumua's throw is wild and the French get a scrum off the knock on! It's on halfway. This is probably their last big chance to score here. Big pressure test for these young ABs.

77min: FXV 23-28 NZL

PENALTY TO THE ALL BLACKS! French go to the maul again but the bring it down safely this time. However, the pick and go is ugly and the ABs are all over it and the French don't release! Mo'unga clears to halfway and Goodhue is back in the game. 

76min: FXV 23-28 NZL

French get more great attacking territory as the ABs are pinged for a dangerous tackle. The kick sails deep into the ABs' 22m. The lineout will be 15m out. Can the ABs hold on?

73min: FXV 23-28 NZL

FXV TRY! GAME ON! French cross over on the left side for an easy try after a brilliant linebreak deep in their half. Mo'unga makes a try-saving tackle 10m from his line but the French recycle quickly and the ABs have no one on the blindside. They trot in to score easily but miss the conversion. This game is going down to the wire folks.

70min: FXV 18-28 NZL

The French lose the ball at the lineout! They go for another maul and again the ABs shut it down for a turnover called by the ref! ABs get a scrum, they set it nicely and Mo'unga clears. Good bit of time chewed up from that too in Goodhue's sin bin.

67min: FXV 18-28 NZL

NZL YELLOW!  French with their tails up now! They've got another penalty and the TMO is back to check foul play on Goodhue. The replays show he's taken out a player who could've gone on to score inside the ABs' 22m. It's not close enough to also warrent a penalty try but the sin bin is correct. The French kick for touch and get a 5m lineout. Big moment coming up. 

65min: FXV 18-28 NZL

Wow! The TMO chirps in to ask the ref to check for foul play so they go upstairs. They check whether Moli has obstructed play prior to the head high. He's collided with a rushing French defender but it has no impact on the unfolding play. However, the ref thinks it's enough to reverse the call so he does! No three points for the ABs coming up, a clearing kick from the French is though.

63min: FXV 18-28 NZL

Tempers are flaring here as a couple of scuffles break out. The first is after Havili is taken out in the air. It's not a dangerous finish but it's enough to earn the ABs a penalty. From there another breaks out after Moli makes contact with a Frenchman's head in the breakdown as he joins the ruck. Nothing malicious but it got the French fired up. Ref calls time off to cool things down but it doesn't help as the French make a high tackle straight after to give the ABs another penalty. Looks like they're opting for three this time.

60min: FXV 18-28 NZL

FXV THREE! French bounce back as they earn a penalty on halfway. Interesting they opt for three instead of a kick for touch but it's probably just to try and stop the run the ABs are on.

56min: FXV 15-28 NZL

NZL TRY! Laumape steamrolls over to score! ABS get a free kick at the scrum which Kerr-Barlow takes quickly. He's stopped inches short but the ABs recycle quickly to the right and Laumape hits the ball at speed and you won't stop him from there! Easy two points for Sopoaga.

55min: FXV 15-21 NZL

Welcome to the All Blacks Akira Ioane! The big loosie takes the catch off the kickoff clean. The All Blacks recycle for two phases before Kerr-Barlow goes for an up and under. The French can't recover it but Ioane does and he runs for 30m deep into the French half. The French recover the ball as he's isolated and they clear. All Blacks get inside the 22m as they take another quick lineout and storm back in. The French are offside resetting and it's a penalty! All Blacks choose the scrum - 7m out in the middle of the field. Can they convert again?

52min: FXV 15-21 NZL

NZL TRY! Tuipulotu is in! The ABs finally convert on all the pressure they've built as the lock stretches out to score under the posts. They went wide again to Squire on that left wing to get inside the 22m and Tuipulotu is in the midfield to bowl over for five.

49min: FXV 15-14 NZL

NZL NO TRY! The All Blacks go back to their wide attack and this time it gets Squire in space down the left sideline again. He pops it back infield metres short of the line as he's tackled out of play to Perry and he tries to score but it's close. TMO shows he was taken out first before he got it down so it's a French lineout. Good news is it has been all All Blacks so far this half. Just need to convert.

48min: FXV 15-14 NZL

ABs with another attacking chance as the French knock the ball on shortly after the lineout to give them a scrum. It's about 30m out.

47min: FXV 15-14 NZL

Curse of the commentator as the All Blacks' front row collapses and is penalised. They couldn't get any footing and lose their attacking chance as a result. France clear for a lineout on their 10m.

46min: FXV 15-14 NZL

ANOTHER scrum coming as Perry drives over the line but is held up. ABs have yet to go wide here. Constant pick and goes have been the go-to as they look to tire out the French. Of note as well, the pitch is getting ripped to shdreds in this area of the field now. Three scrums and 20+ rucks have not helped this fragile turf at all. Could struggle for footing. 

44min: FXV 15-14 NZL

It gets sloppy at the breakdown and there's knock-ons galore as the All Blacks push for the line. The ref goes upstairs to see who lost the ball first on the chalk and it shows the French did trying to get the ball. That means another scrum on the French 5m coming up.

42min: FXV 15-14 NZL

All Blacks with all the early momentum as a shocking clearance from Trinh-Duc gives them a lineout inside the French 22m. They grind for 10m before they pick up a penalty for offside. It's an easy three points on offer but the ABs opt for a scrum. Can they convert?

HT: FXV 15-14 NZL

Sopoaga goes for a short pass and it is well forward so that will wrap things up. Close-contested half but the French deservedly in front. All Blacks have shown glipmses of flair but for the most part, the French are winning in most key stats. The thought in the back of everyone's minds is the ABs will need a big second half to come away with the win - something they have for the most part lacked this year. We'll be back in 15min for the second half! 

40min: FXV 15-14 NZL

We lied. NOW they have the last attacking chance. ABs lose the ball at the lineout as the French contest and get in front to bring the ball down, but the ABs force a maul and once again trap it in there to earn a scrum. This'll be the last play of the half on the French 5m. Can they convert?

38min: FXV 15-14 NZL

All Blacks will get the last attacking chance of the half as a pair of penalties gives them a lineout on the French 5m. They could've looked for three points but they want to finish the half on a real high.

35min: FXV 15-14 NZL

FXV THREE! Another strong defensive display from the All Blacks is undone by an offside penalty and Trinh-Duc steps up for an easy three to take the lead - that probably shows you what mindset this French side has. They want a win no matter what.

32min: FXV 12-14 NZL

French now with good attacking position as Squire is penalised for a head high tackle. That gives them a kick and they get a lineout 10m out from the ABs line as a result. NZ defence needs to step up again here.

29min: FXV 12-14 NZL

FXV TRY! The French pounce as the attacking style that gave the ABs two tries so far has this time given Lacroix his second. The All Blacks get themselves into the French 22m again thanks to an earlier penalty off the kickoff and they look to go wide again. Laumape tries a skip pass but the French winger is waiting and snags the easy intercept. He runs away for 80m and touches down. In fairness, had it been another 10m, Sopoaga probably would've had him. They miss the extras so ABs still in front.

25min: FXV 7-14 NZL

NZL TRY! All Blacks are in! French are penalised for playing at the ball in a ruck just inside their half. Kerr-Barlow quick taps and is off running! He steps and shimmies past the offside players into the 22m and is taken down. The defence isn't set and the ABs again shift the ball wide but this time it's to Duffie and he dives in the right corner to score. Sopoaga with another beauty for two.

22min: FXV 7-7 NZL

Some fantastic defence denies the ABs and Tamanivalu a try. The French force another lineout on halfway which the ABs take quickly, the French are out of position and the ABs pounce. They fling the ball donw the backline and the big skip pass finds Tamanivalu in space as he runs into the French 22m. He's looking to finish in the left corner but he's tackled out 2m short by two tacklers. Great run, better defence.

20min: FXV 7-7 NZL

All Blacks bounce back well thanks to a strong run from Tamanivalu. After trading kicks off the kick off, Tamanivalu lines up one-on-one with Lacroix and bowls over him. The All Blacks surge inside the French 22m but they look a little lost and the French pounce at the breakdown, forcing a knock on. French scrum just inside the 22m in the middle of the field. They recycle and clear into touch. NZ lineout on halfway coming up.

16min: FXV 7-7 NZL

FXV TRY! The Lyon crowd roars as the French strike through Lacroix. Quick hands to the right hand side and Havili is drawn in to create the whole. The final pass sticks and Lacroix sprints away for 20m and a try in the right corner. Trinh-Duc has the extras and we're tied up again.

14min: FXV 0-7 NZL

Stoppage on the field as Macalau is out cold. Not a nice sight. Tuipulotu was the tackler but it wasn't malicious or dangerous contact. It was a good, hard tackle that the French No.8 unfortunately went in to head-first and met the Kiwi lock's shoulder. He gets a cheer from the crowd as he finally sits up but his night is over. Ref not looking at the tackle either which is good news too. French get a scrum to restart things, 10m inside ABs half on the left of the field.

11min: FXV 0-7 NZL

NZL TRY! The ABs are in! Nice, composed attack that goes for nine phases before Squire touches down in the left corner. They go down the line to the right corner to get inside the 22m and set up a ruck, a couple of pick and goes to draw the defence in and then they spring the ball down the line to finish with a skip pass to Squire. Simple and effective. Sopoaga slots a stunner from the left touchline.

9min: FXV 0-0 NZL

The clearance goes to halfway from Kerr-Barlow, France runs off the top of the lineout but they lose it at the breakdown thanks to some great work from Savea. ABs on the counter attack go left and find a hole, they surge into the French half and Squire is finally brought down just outside the French 22m. ABs first real attacking chance of the game here.

7min: FXV 0-0 NZL

The ABs survive! France looks for a maul but the ABs are prepared and shut down the shove. It goes to ground and the ref rules it's not coming out so it's a scrum for NZ! They'll take some confidence from that. ABs scrum on their 5m near the right touchline coming up.

5min: FXV 0-0 NZL

France make a break down the left sideline and the ABs are in trouble! They're five metres out now. ABs called for offside and the French back themselves. They kick for the lineout instead of a sure three. First big defensive test coming up now.

3min: FXV 0-0 NZL

And it's a tighthead! All Blacks surge and get the turnover in the scrum. They clear but the kick doesn't go out. French respond with a clear of their own though and it gives the ABs a lineout on halfway. They lose the ball off the top and France kick for territory. ABs set up a ruck inside their 22m. They clear but the kick isn't out again! France looking to run now.

0min: FXV 0-0 NZL

And a sloppy start has NZ on the backfoot already. Tuipulotu knocks on the catch from kickoff so we head to a French scrum inside the 22m.

KICKOFF

Tawera Kerr-Barlow leads the haka in what will likely be his last match in black. It's a clear night in Lyon and the passionate crowd is already making their voices heard. The pitch really isn't looking great though - it's usually reserved for football so at scrum time we could see it rip up a lot. Already visible signs of damage from warm ups.

Moments away from the French kicking things off.

The All Blacks coach isn't taking anything for granted against an inexperienced France.

PRE-GAME

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen isn't concerned their midweek match in Lyon is being promoted as a Test.

In fact he welcomes it.

New Zealand's opponents are listed as "France", rather than a French Selection, as NZ Rugby is calling them, with visiting officials keen to emphasise the match has non-Test status.

Hansen didn't want to get caught up in the debate but he was delighted his inexperienced players will be put under the blowtorch, even if it is because of a misconception.

"They've got to sell the match. There's 60,000 seats to fill, which they've done," Hansen said.

"It's good, I reckon. Our guys will be thinking it's the second Test too."

It won't just be the crowd size which the Luke Whitelock-led side will find daunting.

The French selection is close in strength to the Test team beaten 38-18 by New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

First five-eighth Francois Trinh-Duc and captain/lock Yoann Maestri have both clocked up more than 50 caps and share 11 clashes against the All Blacks between them.

Trinh-Duc was in the last France side to beat the All Blacks, in Dunedin in 2009, when he scored a fine individual try.

Hansen says both sides will be highly motivated.

"It's very much our second team and very much their second team but it is the All Blacks versus France. Both lots of squad members will see it as an opportunity to further their career."

Hansen wants a repeat of the physicality and defence on show from his Test team at Stade de France.

The missing ingredient in Paris was discipline.

"There was a lot of good stuff in it, both on attack and defence," he said.

"We defended, I think, extremely well at times, and really physically. We just let them off the hook, giving away silly penalties."

Flanker Liam Squire is the only starting player likely to also start against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Hansen plans to replace Squire early in the match, once he's convinced the tough blindside has overcome the virus that confined him to his room for five days earlier in the tour.

Hooker Nathan Harris may also get an early exit as he will come onto the Test bench as backup to Codie Taylor following the tour-ending knee injury to Dane Coles.

TEAMS

NZL:  David Havili, Matt Duffie, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Seta Tamanivalu, Lima Sopoaga, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Luke Whitelock, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Dominic Bird, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Nathan Harris, Tim Perry

NZL Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Atu Moli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Akira Ioane, Dillon Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga

FXV:  Scott Spedding, Gabrielle Lacroix, Henry Chavancy, Jonathan Danty, Hugo Bonneval, Francois Trinh-Duc, Yann Lesgourgues, Sekou Macalou, Marco Tauleigne, Wenceslas Lauret, Yoann Maestri, Romain Taofifenua, Malik Hamadache, Camille Chat, Dany Priso

FXV Reserves: Christopher Tolofua, Mohamed Boughanmi, Lucas Pointud, Julien le Devedec, Fabien Sanconnie, Maxime Machenaud, Jules Plisson, Vincent Rattez

SHARE ME

More Stories