Barrett hits French as they reel from red card
JORDIE Barrett crossed for a brace of tries but the All Blacks were far from impressive as they huffed and puffed their way to a series win in Wellington.
Despite being reduced to 14 men for 68 minutes, France managed to compete and contest on an equal level with the world champions at Westpac Stadium.
The tourists even had two tries disallowed, and managed to draw the second half. It was such a shame for Jacques Brunel’s team who have now lost the series 2-0 and face a final clash in Dunedin with only pride to play for.
Unlike seven days earlier when losing a player to the sin bin derailed the French resistance, this time Les Bleus were galvanised in adversity, and rose to the challenge presented to them by their own ill-discipline.
Having crumbled to a 52-11 in the opening Test, Jacques Brunel’s side were left with a mountain to climb when they had fullback Benjamin Fall sent off for a reckless and dangerous tackle on Beauden Barrett.
Barrett was jumping for the ball when hit by Fall and sent toppling over and crashing down on his head. Aussie referee Angus Gardner decided the card had to be red after studying replays.
Fall walked off followed by Barrett, who failed an HIA and was unable to return to the action. All this after France had again shot out the blocks and threatened the All Blacks line. They failed to come away with a try but Morgan Parra’s early penalty gave them the lead.
Flanker Kevin Gourdon’s pre-match ‘cheat’ accusations against the hosts added some extra spice and there were niggly incidents all over the field.
Hooker Chamille Chat had a try ruled out when he failed to ground the ball when sliding over from flanker Kelian Galletier’s break and pass. And when Fall’s appearance came to a miserable end with his red card, a 3-0 lead turned into a 21-6 half-time deficit for the visitors. The French defence opened up and prop Joe Moody charged through for the opening try. McKenzie kicked the extras and it was the start of another backs to the wall battle for Les Bleus.
Wing Ben Smith crossed for the second converted try, side-stepping two Frenchmen far too easily. Parra replied with a second penalty but Jordie Barrett dived over for a converted try on the stroke of half-time.
However, the expected rout and All Blacks try fest failed to materialise after the break with France managing to compete and even threaten to work their way back into the contest.
The All Blacks were flat, making plenty of handling errors and giving away numerous penalties. The French fought hard but could not stop McKenzie feeding Jordie Barrett for his second try.
Referee Gardner evened up the numbers for ten minutes when he lost patience with the hosts penalty count – and replacement scrum-half TJ Perenara was sent to the sin bin for foul play at a ruck.
France had a try ruled out for a double movement when replacement hooker Pierre Bourgarit reached out to ground the ball. But there was no problem when replacement Cedate Gomes Sa charged over for a consolation try in the dying moments.