Rugby: Black Ferns pair denied fairy-tale finish as France claim historic victory

Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'Amausili is chaired off by teammates following their loss to France at the Stade des Alpes. Photo / Getty Images.

Retiring pair Fiao'o Fa'amausili and Linda Itunu were denied a fairy-tale finish after France ended the Black Ferns 17-month unbeaten run with a shock 30-27 win in Grenoble this morning.

New Zealand went down three-tries-to-four with the hosts bouncing back from last week's defeat in the first test in Toulon to level the series in front of 17,102 fans at the Stade des Alpes.

Ill-discipline cost the Black Ferns in the form of two yellow cards to wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga and midfielder Ruahei Demant, while France maintained their composure after leading 19-14 at halftime, with No 10 Caroline Drouin booting two second-half penalty goals to clinch their first victory over New Zealand in six attempts.

[Big read: Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Faamausili's search for justice]

Black Ferns captain Fa'amausili burrowed over for a crucial try late in the first half but following the defeat announced she would join three-time World Cup winner Itunu in drawing the curtain on her international career.

The pair was given an emotional haka as a send-off from their teammates with the victorious French players also linking arms and watching on to show their respect.

A fitting farewell for two legends of the #BlackFerns 🖤👏🏼#FRAvNZL pic.twitter.com/hayveyaltC

— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) November 17, 2018

"Rugby has been a big part of my life and it still will be but I just won't be taking the field alongside the girls," said Fa'amausili.

"I've played my part in helping, progressing and nurturing players and so now I need some 'me time'.

"It was very, very emotional. Just looking at the girls doing the haka at the same time with tears is pretty emotional but I am so proud of them. We are one big family and when one person cries everyone cries."

The Black Ferns found themselves on the back-foot from the kick-off, with tight-head prop Julie Duval's try giving France the early lead before New Zealand centre Stacey Waaka wrestled over to help level the scores at 7-7 after 14 minutes.

France then took control with centre Maelle Filopon and No 8 Romane Menager stunning the Black Ferns with two long-range tries before Fa'amausili crossed to keep the visitor's hopes alive.

Drouin ran in another brilliant try to extend the home side's lead to 10 early in the second-half, before the Black Ferns hit back in the 48th minute with a five-pointer to fullback Selica Winiata.

Itunu tried everything she could to lift her teammates after being promoted to the starting line-up at No 8 in place of Les Elder, but limped off with five minutes remaining before the French celebrated a historic win.

France 30 (Julie Duval, Maelle Filopon, Romane Menager, Caroline Drouin tries, Drouin 2 cons, 2 pens)

Black Ferns 27 (Stacey Waaka, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Selica Winiata tries, Kendra Cocksedge 3 cons, 2 pens)

HT: 19-14 France