New Zealand, having lost out to the Irish last week after being outmuscled by Andy Farrell’s side, will have much soul searching to do as France played and beat them at their own game – high-tempo, unstructured rugby based around a solid set-piece.Īlthough the French had a commanding 24-6 lead at half-time thanks to two tries from hooker Peato Mauvaka and fly-half Romain Ntamack, New Zealand had brought the game back to within two points after a rapid procession of three tries early in the second half. The French fans had every reason to descend into hysteria as it was the first time Les Bleus had beaten the All Blacks on home soil for 21 years, having not won in the capital since 1973.
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The moment the crowd realised that a rare victory was on the cards came just shy of 70 minutes after a superb intercept try from wing Damian Penaud, who finished off with a swan dive surrounded by the sounds of some 80,000 seats clattering closed and the rising cloud of cigarette smoke – the most Gallic of celebrations.
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It was the day Fabien Galthie’s golden generation finally lived up to their billing as France beat New Zealand in Paris for the first time in nearly half a century with a complete performance that balanced attacking prowess with defensive savvy. All Blacks follow up last weekend's defeat to Ireland with another to France.First time France have beaten the All Blacks on home soil for 21 years.