Rokocoko hat-trick propels All Blacks to victory over France

10.48pm - By DANIEL GILHOOLY

NEW ZEALAND 31 FRANCE 23

UPDATE - A hat-trick of tries to winger Joe Rokocoko lifted the All Blacks to a 31-23 win over France in an open rugby test at Jade Stadium here tonight.

Fijian-born Rokocoko scorched over for all of New Zealand's three tries in the space of 13 minutes in the first half but they relied on the boot of second five-eighth Daniel Carter to seal the result.

The All Blacks led 19-13 after playing into a cold breeze in the first half.

They failed to cross the tryline again, with Carter kicking 12 of his 16 points in the second spell while France scored the only try.

New Zealand had to play the final 10 minutes without captain Reuben Thorne, who was sinbinned for throwing a retaliatory punch at a French forward.

The tourists immediately took advantage, with centre Yannick Jauzion scoring a converted try next to the goalposts.

They came within five points when second five-eighth Damien Traille kicked a 76th-minute penalty but Carter responded with a penalty in the final act of the game.

It completed three-out-of-three losses for France on their short tour this month following two tight test defeats in Argentina.

However, they could be pleased with a brave effort tonight as they fielded an inexperienced line-up, particularly in the forwards.

The All Blacks retained the Gallaher Cup contested between the two nations.

They found victory far tougher than last week's 55-3 romp against Wales after attempting to play an expansive game but often floundering through basic mistakes.

Both sides kept the ball alive in clear conditions, producing some entertaining rugby although handling errors were frequent.

As with last week's test, the All Blacks found themselves down 0-3 early on, courtesy of a Frederic Michalak dropped goal after some early pressure.

However, the next 20 minutes were the All Blacks' best of the match as they played the game with width and pace.

A break up the middle by No 8 Jerry Collins created space for first five-eighth Carlos Spencer, who looped a pass to Rokocoko to twist in the tackle and cross the tryline.

His second, and best, try came from a Spencer inpass. Rokocoko, 20, split the defence and had too much pace for the French cover in a 50m sprint to the line.

There was less work involved for his third, with Rokocoko being put over thanks to an overlap on the left.

Playing just his third test, Rokocoko has now amassed five test tries after crossing twice against the Welsh last week.

Michalak, who missed an easy early penalty chance, made amends in the 30th minute.

He created his team's first try six minutes later when a sweet inside ball allowed prop Sylvain Marconnet a comfortable stroll next to the goalposts.

It was the first try New Zealand had conceded this year.

The tourists suffered a setback before halftime when key flanker Imanol Harinordoquy left the game after his second blow to the head.

They also lost debut prop Nicolas Mas to injury after just 10 minutes in a test punctuated by French players often requiring attention for injury.

The six-point halftime margin remained for 16 minutes into the second half, with Carter and French second five-eighth Damien Traille both missing tricky penalty shots.

All Blacks flanker Richie McCaw crossed the tryline but was called back for a forward pass earlier in the movement, a decision that appeared incorrect from South African referee Andre Watson.

Three Carter penalties put the All Blacks 28-13 clear with 15 minutes remaining but Thorne's sinbinning, for what appeared an innocuous act, put pressure on the home side in the closing stages.

French coach Bernard Laporte was satisfied with his team's performance.

"We had to fight against a good All Black team, and we consider it a good result," Laporte said.

"The game has given our players a lot more experience and although we are disappointed we haven't won on this tour, it has been very good for us.

"There were many improvements for us tonight, in many sectors of the game."

All Blacks coach John Mitchell had mixed emotions after the victory, his first over France as coach.

"Our start was very good and there were a lot of encouraging signs but we tended to get a little untidy, we didn't value possession enough," Mitchell said.

"It was always going to be a contest, we've come away from tests against France with disappointment before and we know what they're capable of.

"They showed commitment tonight and I'm just pleased we got the result we were after."

Collins injured his ankle late in the game and Mitchell said the No 8 was icing the injury and his fitness wouldn't be known for 48 hours.

The All Blacks' squad to contest the Tri-Nations series will be named on July 6, with their next test against South Africa in Pretoria on July 19.

The Springboks meet Australia a week earlier in the Tri-Nations opener at Cape Town.

- NZPA