CROTTY SCORES ALL BLACKS’ 2,000TH TRY IN FRANCE WIN
Paris, France - New Zealand racked up its 2,000th international try and threatened to hand France a sound thrashing before a second half rally limited it to a 38-18 win in Paris on Saturday.
Ryan Crotty chalked up the landmark score as four first-half tries - the others from Dane Coles, Waisake Naholo and Sam Cane - gave the All Blacks a 31-5 half-time lead on Armistice Day.
Teddy Thomas crossed for France on his return to the fold after a two-year absence while a penalty try helped close the gap before Naholo grabbed his second in the final minute to prevent New Zealand from being kept scoreless after the break.
Beauden Barrett kicked a perfect six from six from a 13-point personal haul for the visitors. Despite a spirited second-half fightback from the hosts, there was no masking the gulf in class less than two years out from the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
But after a thoroughly one-sided first half, France's only consolation is that it didn't succumb to a record defeat – its 10-61 reverse in Wellington in 2007 retains that dubious honour.
New Zealand gave notice of its intent on its first possession as a brilliant one-handed offload after contact from Sonny Bill Williams set up a chance on the very next phase for the centre, but he was held up over the line by prop Jefferson Poirot.
From the resulting scrum typically quick passing and a clever line run by Coles saw the hooker go through a gap to score the opening try of the game. Barrett kicked a penalty to add to his earlier conversion and after his chip ahead forced France to carry the ball over their own line, New Zealand had a five-metre scrum.
France was creaking and following a series of scrums, a long misspass from Barrett found Naholo in acres of space to stroll over for the second try.
Coles went off with what seemed a knee injury and France struck back immediately, kicking a penalty to the corner and then firing the ball out to the right for Thomas to dive over.
France's expected pack dominance didn't materialise and six minutes before half-time tighthead prop Rabah Slimani was sin-binned after collapsing a scrum for the third time, while loosehead Poirot went off for a concussion protocol.
New Zealand needed little more encouragement and a brilliant rugby league style grubber from Williams was touched down by Crotty for the All Blacks' 2,000th international try.
There was still time before the break for a passage of stunningly quick and slick passing to send Cane over, with Barrett's conversion giving the tourists a huge half-time lead.
France came out fired up for the second period and after an Anthony Belleau penalty, it was denied a try following a scything break from livewire scrum-half Antoine Dupont by Williams deliberately batting the ball out of play in the New Zealand end zone.
But he copped a yellow card and France was awarded a penalty try.
France had its tails up and after another Belleau penalty, Thomas was denied a second try after his right foot grazed the touchline.
It had a period of pressure close to the New Zealand line but the All Blacks held out with Williams now back on the field and there was a palpable sense that the hosts had let their one chance slip through the fingers. It proved the case as Naholo had the final word.
Wallabies extend Wales dominance
Cardiff, UK - Australia recorded its 13th straight victory over Wales on Saturday, sealing a 29-21 success in an enthralling contest at Principality Stadium.
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Coleman, captain Michael Hooper and full-back Kurtley Beale crossed for the Wallabies with fly-half Bernard Foley kicking three conversions and Reece Hodge a long-distance penalty.
Wales’ tries came courtesy of Scarlets winger Steffan Evans and replacement Dragons paceman Hallam Amos, while Leigh Halfpenny kicked 11 points.