KENNY-DOWALL
The Kiwi Xpress
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
- Messages
- 11,111
- Reaction score
- 3
NEW Zealand scored two late tries in Paris to avoid slumping to its first Test loss to France in 27 years.
After heavy defeats to Australia and Great Britain over the past six weeks, Gary Kemble's Kiwis went into the fixture at Stade Jean-Bouin looking for a morale-boosting victory over the international minnows.
But John Monie's Tricolours led 8-0 early and 14-10 for 29 minutes of the second half before New Zealand centre Paul Whatuira and replacement Thomas Leuluai spared the visitors' blushes with touchdowns in the final seven minutes.
"A relief, sure it is," Kemble said of the result.
"I'm just happy for the boys.
"After all we've had to put up with and the effort they've put in this week and last week, they really deserve this.
"With about 20 minutes to go, you have thoughts about (losing) but we were pretty confident that ... the way France was starting to wilt a little, we could score points."
France started perfectly when backrower Eric Anselme crossed in the second minute from a ricochetting kick.
The Kiwis then hit the front through tries from Louis Anderson and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, but a wayward pass from full-back Sam Perrett on his own tryline allowed former New Zealand Warriors players Justin Murphy to cross for France in the 45th minute.
France defended their lead grimly, but the introduction of Wigan's Leuluai proved decisive.
He set up the try for Wests Tiger centre Whatuira and scored one himself.
"We've improved in a lot of areas - we're tough enough now," Monie said of his France side.
"We held our own in the middle of the park against the Kiwis, which is hard to do."
New Zealand prop Sam Rapira suffered severe concussion and was carried off on a stretcher when play was halted for several minutes while a hip injury prevented backrow Jeremy Smith playing any part in the second half.
After heavy defeats to Australia and Great Britain over the past six weeks, Gary Kemble's Kiwis went into the fixture at Stade Jean-Bouin looking for a morale-boosting victory over the international minnows.
But John Monie's Tricolours led 8-0 early and 14-10 for 29 minutes of the second half before New Zealand centre Paul Whatuira and replacement Thomas Leuluai spared the visitors' blushes with touchdowns in the final seven minutes.
"A relief, sure it is," Kemble said of the result.
"I'm just happy for the boys.
"After all we've had to put up with and the effort they've put in this week and last week, they really deserve this.
"With about 20 minutes to go, you have thoughts about (losing) but we were pretty confident that ... the way France was starting to wilt a little, we could score points."
France started perfectly when backrower Eric Anselme crossed in the second minute from a ricochetting kick.
The Kiwis then hit the front through tries from Louis Anderson and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, but a wayward pass from full-back Sam Perrett on his own tryline allowed former New Zealand Warriors players Justin Murphy to cross for France in the 45th minute.
France defended their lead grimly, but the introduction of Wigan's Leuluai proved decisive.
He set up the try for Wests Tiger centre Whatuira and scored one himself.
"We've improved in a lot of areas - we're tough enough now," Monie said of his France side.
"We held our own in the middle of the park against the Kiwis, which is hard to do."
New Zealand prop Sam Rapira suffered severe concussion and was carried off on a stretcher when play was halted for several minutes while a hip injury prevented backrow Jeremy Smith playing any part in the second half.
