Agonising Defeat for All Blacks in Paris Thriller

France retained the Dave Gallaher Trophy in a thrilling, if sometimes confusing, game by beating the All Blacks 30-29 at Stade de France on Sunday (NZT).

France, who completed three consecutive wins for the second time against the New Zealanders, scored three tries to two, and with first five-eighths Thomas Romas's boot unerring, they took every opportunity they had, whereas the All Blacks could only reflect on opportunities lost.

The All Blacks led 17-10 at halftime, but tries to France in the 43rd and 50th minutes proved crucial to the final outcome. When the pressure went on in the final quarter, penalty goals were not enough, and errors returned to deny the All Blacks the attacking opportunities they achieved during a dynamic first half.

A penalty against hooker Codie Taylor for allegedly infringing at a restart and a ruck turnover, when replacement halfback Cortez Ratima was unable to clear the ball within five seconds allowed, the French to deny the All Blacks chances to work the ball back downfield. Handling errors by lock Tupou Vaa'i and centre Rieko Ioane were also costly as the All Blacks were on the cusp of finding the space they sought.

Compounding the outcome were some of the rulings of referee Nika Amashukeli and his judicial team, especially the TMO during the final 10 minutes when a phantom neck roll was called against them that allowed Ramos to land his third penalty goal and give France its win.

New Zealand had 63 percent possession, enough ball to win, but handling mistakes allowed the defensive approach of the French to dominate, making only 96 ball carries to 188 by the All Blacks. France was forced to make 209 tackles to 111, but, in doing that, they reduced the All Blacks to scoring from four penalty goals in the second half.

Peter Lakai, who impressed, could not have made a better impact after coming on as a replacement for Samipeni Finau moments after the game started. After France's first five-eighths, Thomas Ramos landed a 50m penalty goal; they fired a long kick downfield, where All Blacks fullback Will Jordan took the ball.

He launched at the French midfield to cross the advantage line. Clever use of the ball as they employed miss-out passes twice stretched the defence. On the second occasion, lock Tupou Vaa'i threw an overhead pass to wing Caleb Clarke. He had flanker Ardie Savea outside him. Getting the ball, Savea worked slightly infield and then fed Lakai into space and over the line for the try after eight minutes.

Into the second quarter, the All Blacks backed up their lineout dominance, allowing France only 57 percent success, by pressuring the French scrum.

That was hit home most effectively in the 26th minute after halfback Cam Roigard's kick got the All Blacks into the 22m area. A scrum was awarded to France, the All Blacks pushed them back, and No8 Gregory Alldritt broke off the back to be impeded by Roigard.

As Alldritt attempted to slip a pass to Dupont, Roigard batted the ball and regathered, turned around and ran 10m to score.

Eight minutes out from the break, France mounted its best attack of the half, rolling the ball through pick-and-go sequences before it was released on the All Blacks' line for debut fullback Romain Buros to score.

A 36th-minute penalty goal returned the All Blacks to a seven-point lead at 17-10 at halftime.

With 63 percent of first-half possession, the All Blacks were able to run the big French pack around, although the lengthy scrum stoppages hindered their ability to inflict even more pain on their defence. France missed 18 first-half tackles to 11 by the All Blacks.

France started the second half with storming hand-to-hand passing, and Dupont was in his element. His short pass to Emmanuel Meafou allowed him to charge through tackle attempts deep into the 22m area. The All Blacks conceded a penalty, and from the lineout maul, it was flanker Paul Boudehent who went over for the try.

A killer blow occurred in the 50th minute when, at the end of an extended run of play, the All Blacks coughed up an error when a pass from Vaa'i went to the ground. Ramos kicked ahead, and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey chased ahead and got the bounce to score.

Frustrating as the loss was, there was clear evidence that under all the pressure of playing in France, that a change is underway that is building the future shape of the All Blacks.

Scorers: France 30 (Romain Buros, Paul Boudehent, Louis Bielle-Biearry tries: Thomas Ramos 3 con, 3 pen) New Zealand 29 (Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard tries; Beauden Barrett 2 con, pen; Damian McKenzie 4 pen). HT: 10-17