All Blacks Dig Deep to Conquer France in Series Finale
New Zealand's All Blacks secured a hard-fought 29-19 victory over France in Hamilton, completing a series clean sweep. However, the win was far from comfortable, as the French team, despite fielding a weakened side, put up a fierce resistance.
Captain Ardie Savea admitted that his team was "punched in the nose" early on, trailing 10-0 and 19-17 at half-time. The All Blacks only managed to take the lead with 20 minutes remaining, showcasing the tenacity of the French squad.
Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Du'Plessis Kirifi, and debutant Brodie McAlister all scored tries for New Zealand. Nolann Le Garrec, the Racing 92 scrum-half, was a standout performer for France, scoring a try and converting three penalties.
The victory marked a 3-0 series win for the All Blacks, following earlier wins of 31-27 in Dunedin and 41-17 in Wellington. Coach Scott Robertson acknowledged the challenging nature of the match, stating, "We'll be better for the experience as a group. Ten points down at one stage and we found a way, played some really good footy and we're better for it."
The game saw 10 changes to the All Blacks' starting XV, and Savea conceded that the new-look side was initially caught off guard. However, the team rallied in the second half, building phases and converting pressure into points.
In another rugby match, South Africa dominated Georgia with a 55-10 victory, with debutant Marnus van der Merwe scoring two tries in the first half.
Key Takeaways:
- All Blacks complete series sweep against France with a 29-19 win.
- France put up a strong fight, leading early in the match.
- New Zealand coach acknowledges the valuable experience gained.