5 Things we learned from New Zealand v France
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New Zealand edged a 'new-look' France side 31-27 in Dunedin on Saturday.
Here are 5 things we learned from the match.
- The loop around pass worked well for the All Blacks.
They scored 2 tries by just simply having a dummy runner and moving the ball quickly through the hands. The French defence failed to defend it.
- High tempo game which seemed to be part of the All Blacks game plan.
The speed of the game was fast, and it worked well for both teams, but New Zealand had the stamina to see it out right through to the end whereas France started tire out early in the second half.
- All Blacks were dominant, had majority of the possession but failed to capitalize on it as France stayed in the game all the way until the end.
Granted New Zealand had a few disallowed tries, but they simply need to be more clinical, put up more points on the board and defend better. Against a better or more experienced side, the result could have been different.
- Both teams had a few debutants and needless to say they started their international careers on a high level, getting thrown straight to the deep end but they did well under the pressure especially the France fly-half Joris Segonds and winger Tom Springs.
- Beauden Barret’s accurate kicking gave New Zealand the edge over France.
The All Blacks managed only a 4-point victory and that is thanks to the fly-half’s impressive kicking. He had a 100% strike rate.
