France push Blacks

France will take several positives from their 23-13 defeat by New Zealand on Saturday.

Star centre Wesley Fofana announced himself in the Southern Hemisphere with a superb early try. Scrum-half Maxime Machenaud converted and added a penalty, but France’s only second half points came from a Camille Lopez penalty.

The All Blacks were far from their best but showed a clinical edge with turnover tries through Aaron Smith and Sam Cane. 13 points from Aaron Cruden rounded off their scoring.

In South Africa’s Quadrangular Tournament, the hosts enjoyed a 44-10 win over Italy.

Meanwhile, a powerful Samoa side downed Scotland 27-17.

A try, three conversions and two penalties from new Connacht signing James So’oialo played an important part. Winger Alesana Tuilagi also crossed the whitewash twice.

Elsewhere, England enjoyed a comfortable 32-3 win over a weak Argentina side in the first of a two-game series. David Strettle, Billy Twelvetrees, Ben Morgan and Billy Vunipola were the try scorers, while Freddie Burns added 12 points from the tee.

Wales squeezed past Japan by 22- 18 in the opening match of a two-part schedule.