In a thrilling clash at the Stade de France, France triumphs over New Zealand with a nail-biting 30-29 victory, ending the All Blacks' winning streak and solidifying their status in international rugby.
In a captivating match that highlighted the pinnacle of international rugby, France secured a dramatic 30-29 win against New Zealand at the Stade de France, bringing an end to the All Blacks’ five-game winning streak. This intense battle served as a demonstration of both teams' determination, strategic skill, and the excitement that only a high-stakes Test can provide.
Fabien Galthié’s squad, invigorated by the overwhelming support of their home fans, showcased a combination of accuracy and flair. Crucial tries from Romain Buros, Paul Boudehent, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, along with 15 perfect points from the kicking of Thomas Ramos, secured a victory that will be remembered in the annals of French rugby.
New Zealand, buoyed by recent victories over Australia, Japan, England, and Ireland, arrived at the Stade de France with a strong sense of purpose, aiming for redemption after their loss to Les Bleus at the start of the previous World Cup. Yet, despite tries from Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard, along with a solid kicking performance from Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie, the All Blacks fell narrowly short, marking their third consecutive defeat to France.
“I am extremely proud of the team,” lock Paul Boudehent stated after the match. “We realized we had the potential to change the outcome of this game, and the whole team, including those with less experience, embraced that confidence.” His remarks encapsulated the spirit of a team that has learned to trust in their capacity to outsmart even the toughest competitors in the sport.
The match was anything but simple. France, known for their unpredictable style, struggled in the beginning. The All Blacks took advantage of mistakes to establish a significant 14-3 lead, with Savea's powerful run paving the way for Lakai's try and Roigard capitalizing on a risky pass from Gregory Alldritt. However, instead of breaking under the mounting pressure, France managed to adjust and adapt.
“The start was challenging,” Galthié acknowledged. “However, by the time we reached half-time, we had adjusted, identifying solutions at the breakdown and improving our defensive organization.” The transformation was indeed noticeable. France overcame their early uncertainty, emerging as a composed and efficient team that had propelled them into World Cup contention in 2023.
Thomas Ramos' kicking was instrumental in establishing an early rhythm and subsequently preserving the lead. His long-range penalty kick was the first to score points, but it was the overall transformation in France's tactical strategy that characterized the match. After the halftime break, a powerful maul culminated in Boudehent's try, bringing the score level. Shortly thereafter, a moment of defensive excellence was converted into attacking brilliance when Bielle-Biarrey seized Ramos' expertly placed kick to score a pivotal try.
As McKenzie and Ramos traded penalties in the closing moments of the match, making the score increasingly tight, France kept their composure. Antoine Dupont, facing constant pressure from the All Blacks' defense, adapted his approach to guide the team with focused precision.
"Moments like these are crucial for building confidence," Dupont remarked. "New Zealand played at their best, but we held our composure when it was most essential. There’s truly nothing like those last few minutes knowing that your teammate will stand firm."
The triumph echoed beyond the 80 minutes. It represented France's third consecutive victory over New Zealand on home soil, a fact that would have appeared unlikely during the harsh 14-match losing streak that lasted from 2000 to 2018. "Even against a team as strong as the All Blacks, there are weaknesses," Galthié noted. "We've become adept at capitalizing on those opportunities."
For the All Blacks, this match highlighted their relentless competitive nature, as well as the weaknesses that can emerge in close contests. Barrett and McKenzie ensured they remained within reach of victory, but their final attempt came up short. They are set to wrap up their European tour against Italy, aiming to finish on a positive note.
France, filled with confidence, is now setting its sights on the upcoming challenge against Argentina, keen to build on their recent successes and solidify their position as the top team in the northern hemisphere. If Saturday’s match demonstrated anything, it is that Galthié’s squad possesses not just skill and flair, but also the mental strength necessary for achieving greatness.
In a captivating match that highlighted the pinnacle of international rugby, France secured a dramatic 30-29 win against New Zealand at the Stade de France, bringing an end to the All Blacks’ five-game winning streak. This intense battle served as a demonstration of both teams' determination, strategic skill, and the excitement that only a high-stakes Test can provide.
Fabien Galthié’s squad, invigorated by the overwhelming support of their home fans, showcased a combination of accuracy and flair. Crucial tries from Romain Buros, Paul Boudehent, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, along with 15 perfect points from the kicking of Thomas Ramos, secured a victory that will be remembered in the annals of French rugby.
New Zealand, buoyed by recent victories over Australia, Japan, England, and Ireland, arrived at the Stade de France with a strong sense of purpose, aiming for redemption after their loss to Les Bleus at the start of the previous World Cup. Yet, despite tries from Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard, along with a solid kicking performance from Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie, the All Blacks fell narrowly short, marking their third consecutive defeat to France.
“I am extremely proud of the team,” lock Paul Boudehent stated after the match. “We realized we had the potential to change the outcome of this game, and the whole team, including those with less experience, embraced that confidence.” His remarks encapsulated the spirit of a team that has learned to trust in their capacity to outsmart even the toughest competitors in the sport.
The match was anything but simple. France, known for their unpredictable style, struggled in the beginning. The All Blacks took advantage of mistakes to establish a significant 14-3 lead, with Savea's powerful run paving the way for Lakai's try and Roigard capitalizing on a risky pass from Gregory Alldritt. However, instead of breaking under the mounting pressure, France managed to adjust and adapt.
“The start was challenging,” Galthié acknowledged. “However, by the time we reached half-time, we had adjusted, identifying solutions at the breakdown and improving our defensive organization.” The transformation was indeed noticeable. France overcame their early uncertainty, emerging as a composed and efficient team that had propelled them into World Cup contention in 2023.
Thomas Ramos' kicking was instrumental in establishing an early rhythm and subsequently preserving the lead. His long-range penalty kick was the first to score points, but it was the overall transformation in France's tactical strategy that characterized the match. After the halftime break, a powerful maul culminated in Boudehent's try, bringing the score level. Shortly thereafter, a moment of defensive excellence was converted into attacking brilliance when Bielle-Biarrey seized Ramos' expertly placed kick to score a pivotal try.
As McKenzie and Ramos traded penalties in the closing moments of the match, making the score increasingly tight, France kept their composure. Antoine Dupont, facing constant pressure from the All Blacks' defense, adapted his approach to guide the team with focused precision.
"Moments like these are crucial for building confidence," Dupont remarked. "New Zealand played at their best, but we held our composure when it was most essential. There’s truly nothing like those last few minutes knowing that your teammate will stand firm."
The triumph echoed beyond the 80 minutes. It represented France's third consecutive victory over New Zealand on home soil, a fact that would have appeared unlikely during the harsh 14-match losing streak that lasted from 2000 to 2018. "Even against a team as strong as the All Blacks, there are weaknesses," Galthié noted. "We've become adept at capitalizing on those opportunities."
For the All Blacks, this match highlighted their relentless competitive nature, as well as the weaknesses that can emerge in close contests. Barrett and McKenzie ensured they remained within reach of victory, but their final attempt came up short. They are set to wrap up their European tour against Italy, aiming to finish on a positive note.
France, filled with confidence, is now setting its sights on the upcoming challenge against Argentina, keen to build on their recent successes and solidify their position as the top team in the northern hemisphere. If Saturday’s match demonstrated anything, it is that Galthié’s squad possesses not just skill and flair, but also the mental strength necessary for achieving greatness.
