France had made eight changes after their defeat to Canada, and raced out to a 15-0 lead after just 17 minutes thanks to some nifty footwork from Caroline Boujard and some sloppy defence from the Black Ferns, as well as a bit of luck – dotting down after a penalty attempt hit the posts, with Maelle Filopon quickest to react.
A remarkable refereeing decision was to follow, with the TMO correctly overruling a yellow card decision against the French in a rare sinbin reversal, as France held an 18-6 lead at the break.
A superb counter-attacking try finished by Jessy Tremouliere, after Cocksedge failed to find touch with a penalty, made it 25-9, and although a rash of yellow cards saw France finish with 13 women, the only way the Black Ferns could score was through a penalty try, and that merely reduced the deficit to a non-historic margin.
The Black Ferns next have a bye in the Super Series, before they finish the competition against England next Monday.
France 25 (Jessy Tremouliere, Caroline Boujard, Maelle Filopon tries; Tremouliere 2 cons, 2 pens)
Black Ferns 16 (Penalty try; Kendra Cocksedge 3 pens)
HT: 18-6
