Thrilling win over All Blacks lays foundation for France's bright future

France v All Blacks was a vintage instalment of a classic fixture that went right down to the wire.

All Black wing Caleb Clarke gather possession with Gabin Villiere closes in during during the Autumn Nations Series meeting at the Stade de France. Pic:  Franco Arland/Getty Images

Silky skills, crushing power and a ding-dong on the scoreboard lapped up by a sold-out Saturday-night crowd: this was a vintage instalment of a classic fixture that went right down to the wire.

Antoine Dupont may have looked a little rusty on his second outing for France since the scrum-half’s sevens sojourn at the Paris Olympics but Thomas Ramos, who kicked 15 points with six from six off the tee, was as dependable as ever.

New Zealand’s Ardie Savea was a typically monumental presence but the pace of Louis Bielle-Biarrey proved more potent in the final reckoning.

“We’re very happy. It was a very tough game that could have gone either way,” the France second-row Thibaud Flament told TNT Sports. “We didn’t start in the right way and they put us under pressure. We had to trust our process and adapt our tactics [at half-time].” 

"It was a special test for us. Winning by a single point reminds us of last year. One point is nothing but it can also mean a lot," France coach Fabien Galthie added, referring to last year's 29-28 defeat against the Springboks which ended France's hopes of winning the World Cup on home soil.

"The scenario was awful at the beginning. But at halftime we found the solution, being better on the impact points. I'm very proud because we've now hosted them three times and we've beaten them three times (in a row).

"It gives us a lot of confidence. Even if they're this formidable All Blacks side, they can be fragile, have weaknesses which we exploit pretty well when they come here."

Captain Dupont, who was under immense pressure by the New Zealand defence, changed his approach, being more cautious but still ruthlessly clear sighted as France kept their composure.

"Winning against such a big team is a big confidence booster and lays the foundation for our squad. They came as a top team with top players at their peak," the mercurial scrum half said.

"We knew we had the keys to turn the tables in this match and the whole team, even the newcomers, felt that. There is nothing more exciting to live these final minutes, when you know your teammate is not going to give up."

France now need to follow up against Argentina on Friday to head into the winter break with a series slam.

New Zealand were left disappointed.

"When they have the momentum they're pretty hard to stop," said captain Scott Barrett, whose side will conclude their tour against Italy next Saturday.

Coach Scott Robertson added: "We were not good enough tonight. We certainly created (chances) but we did not finish (strongly) enough."

FRANCE: R Buros (N Le Garrec 67); G Villière, G Fickou, Y Moefana (É Gailleton 59), L Bielle-Biarrey; T Ramos, A Dupont; J-B Gros (R Wardi 48), P Mauvaka (J Marchand 48), T Tatafu (G-H Colombe 9), T Flament, E Meafou (R Taofifenua 48; C Ollivon 55), P Boudehent (P Mauvaka 69), A Roumat, G Aldritt (M Guillard 48).

NEW ZEALAND: W Jordan; S Reece (D McKenzie 52), R Ioane, J Barrett (A Lienert-Brown 36), C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard (C Ratima 52); T Williams (O Tu’ungafasi 61), C Taylor (A Aumua 59), T Lomax (P Tosi 61), S Barrett, T Vaa’i (P Tuipulotu 54), S Finau (P Lakai 1), A Savea, W Sititi.

Referee: N Amashukeli (Georgia).