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13 March, 2026, 5:04 am
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13 March, 2026, 5:04 am Central - 24°C Clouds

All Blacks beat France 29-19 to complete clean sweep

All Blacks beat France 29-19 to complete clean sweep

By Navitalai Naivalurua
20/07/2025

The All Blacks came from behind to beat France 29-19 in the third and final test, completing a 3-0 series sweep for the hosts.

France opened the scoring, with halfback Nolann Le Garrec diving over from close range, after a lineout drive near the All Blacks' tryline.

They extended their lead to 10-0 with a penalty goal midway through the first half, but the All Blacks struck back almost immediately, with halfback Cortez Ratima kicking into space and wing Will Jordan winning the race to the ball to score next to the posts.

The try was converted, reducing France's lead to 10-7, but the tourists snapped a drop goal to make it a six-point game.

The All Blacks were the next to score with a penalty goal, but the visitors soon restored their advantage with a penalty of their own, before kicking another to go ahead 19-10.

The hosts would score a controversial try from midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown well after the halftime hooter to cut France's lead to 19-17 at the break.

There looked to have been a clear forward pass in the lead-up to the try, but the referee and touch judges missed it, much to the annoyance of French fans at FMG Stadium.

The first points of the second half weren't scored until the 58th minute, when All Blacks flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi dotted down for a try, after Sevu Reece stripped a French player of the ball in the in-goal area.

The All Blacks led for the first time, with the unconverted try putting them ahead 22-19 with 20 minutes to go.

They extended their lead to 29-19 with a converted try to debutant and reserve hooker Brodie McAlister, and the score wouldn't change from there, as the hosts claimed a scrappy victory at Kirikiroa.

[Source: RNZ]

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