10 Nov 2013

All Blacks hang on for win over France

1:20 pm on 10 November 2013

The All Blacks held on to win 26-19 in a fiercely contested Test match against France in Paris.

Neither side was able to score a try in the first half and the half time score was 9-9.

Morgan Parra and Dan Carter traded penalties to start the second half, before fullback Charles Piutau scored an opportunistic try to put the All Blacks ahead.

Piutau then set up Kieran Read for a second try, giving the All Blacks a lead of 14 points.

France hit back with a try by fullback Brice Dulin and attacked the line in the final stages, but the New Zealand defence was able to keep them out.

Comment

''There was no quarter given today," New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said in an interview afterwards.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen gave credit to France for pushing his side to the limit.

"The French played particularly well,'' he said. ''Tonight is a night you understand why they call it a Test match. It was a test of our resolve."

"We came really close, but they were more efficient. Hats off to them," said France captain Thierry Dusautoir.

The next match for the All Blacks is against England.