New Zealand 14
France 10
The All Blacks won the second test but lost the silverware after prevailing 14-10 over France in a titanic rugby arm wrestle tonight.
Victory wasn't enough for the All Blacks to retain the Dave Gallaher Cup, which goes to the French for the first time since the countries began competing for it nine years ago. The hosts needed to win by six points or more to keep the silverware on points differential.
The All Blacks responded to criticism of its first test performance to eke out victory in a match played in bitterly cold conditions and in wind and driving rain.
"They were pretty trying conditions. It was pretty ugly but we got there in the end," All Blacks captain Mils Muliaina said.
"Our urgency on our kick chase was better tonight than last week. This is a very talented young side."
Centre Ma'a Nonu scored the All Blacks' only try in the 25th minute, helping them turn advantages of territory and possession into an 8-0 lead at halftime. The remainder of New Zealand's points came from penalties - two to first five-eighths Stephen Donald and one to his replacement Luke McAlister.
Winger Cedric Hermans scored one of the great individual tries in test history to lift France into the game at the start of the second half. Hermans weaved his way around four All Blacks defenders in the 42nd minute on a 40-metre run to the goalline for a try, converted by Julien Dupuy, which cut the lead to 8-7.
France continued to threaten the All Blacks' advantage with the wind at their backs in the second half but, while penalties pushed New Zealand to an 11-7, then a 14-7 lead, the tourists managed to score only once more - through a penalty to Dimitri Yachvili 13 minutes from fulltime.
"It was bad conditions but we tried to do our best," Yachvili said. "It was hard for us after winning last week but the All Blacks played better than us tonight.
"We scored a brilliant try but with these conditions it was hard for us to play our best rugby."
In a slogging encounter, New Zealand lifted the physical standard of their play after being outmuscled by the French side in Dunedin.
France again achieved a slight advantage in scrums but the All Blacks pressured at the lineout and gained a greater share of possession in the loose, through young flanker Tanerau Latimer who was outstanding in his first full test match.
A better forward platform allowed the All Blacks to create play and they carved out a significant territorial advantage and a slight advantage of possession in both halves.
New Zealand's defence improved over the first test, though it was left red-faced by Hermans try. The French winger was given only a little space inside the left hand touchline when he set off on his run. He first beat his opposite number Cory Jane, then weaved pass Muliaina, sidestepped No. 8 Kieran Read then beat Joe Rokocoko to score an outstanding try.
On a difficult night for goalkickers, Donald missed three straight attempts before landing his first penalty in the 39th minute, ending the first-half scoring.
Donald landed his second 15 minutes into the second half before suffering an apparent hamstring injury and was replaced by McAlister, who landed a goal from his only attempt in the 65th minute but Yachvili replied for France only two minutes later.
The All Blacks face Italy and France meets Australia in tests next Saturday.
New Zealand 14 Ma'a Nonu try; Stephen Donald (2), Luke McAlister goals
France 10 Cedric Heymans try; Julien Dupuy, Dimitri Yachvili goals
- NZPA, AP
