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All Blacks smash France to complete clean sweep

MATCH REPORT: Rieko Ioane scored a dazzling second-half hat-trick as New Zealand punished France 49-14 to complete a clean sweep of their three-Test series in Dunedin on Saturday.

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There were 11 tries, seven for the All Blacks – three to Ioane and two to Damian McKenzie – and two for France as both sides relished the freedom to attack on a firm surface in the enclosed Dunedin stadium.

McKenzie converted all the All Blacks’ tries to finish with a match haul of 24 points, while Ioane took his try haul to 16 from 16 Tests.

It rounded off a torrid tour for France, who were dismembered 11-52 in the first Test and gallantly went down 13-26 in the second, following an early red card which was rescinded after the game.

Despite mass changes in the All Blacks team, quick feet and outrageous offloads produced a helter-skelter game in which France were competitive for the first half-hour when the scores were tied 14-14.

But after McKenzie’s first try – helped by referee John Lacey, who accidentally impeded Baptiste Serin – the All Blacks led 21-14 at the turn, and France were unable to find a way back.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was vindicated in his decision to make 10 changes and blood four new Test players, with next year’s World Cup in mind.

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His aim was to build depth and the matchday 23 included only six players who featured in the quarterfinal win over France in the World Cup three years ago.

But it was France who made the blitz start stand-in captain Morgan Parra had called for, after a well-timed intercept by Kelian Galletier took Les Bleus deep into New Zealand territory.

Parra went off with a head knock as France repeatedly pounded the line until his replacement scrumhalf, Serin, dummied his way over the line.

However, the All Blacks fired back with two quick tries.

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The first was to fullback Ben Smith, after turning down a shot at goal in favour of a line-out, and the second went to Matt Todd from a line-out drive.

France replied with a well-taken try to Wesley Fofana as they dominated possession, and the powerful work of Galletier and Kevin Gourdon allowed the Fofana and Remi Lamerat partnership to get in behind the All Blacks backline.

It took New Zealand’s new-look backline until the second half to achieve the same penetration, with McKenzie scoring his second try five minutes after the restart.

Despite McKenzie’s points tally, he had a mixed game in his first start at fly-half. He had problems with his tactical kicking and passing but when he ran, his acceleration and body swerve baffled the French.

Man of the match: Scott Barrett was a colossus up front with ball in hand and on defence. Rieko Ioane increased his try-scoring tally with a hat-trick. However, the award goes to Damian McKenzie who had a strong showing on attack. He scored two tries and set-up a few others.

Moment of the match: Damian McKenzie produced a number of magical moments on attack.

Villain of the match: Special mention goes to referee John Lacey for blocking a French defender in the lead up to Damian McKenzie’s first try.

The scorers:

For New Zealand:
Tries: B Smith, Todd, McKenzie 2, Ioane 3
Cons: McKenzie 7

For France:
Tries: Serin, Fofana
Cons: Belleau 2

Teams:

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Thomas Perenara, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Jordie Barrett.

France: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra (captain), 8 Kevin Gourdon, 7 Kelian Galletier, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Bernard le Roux, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Dany Priso.
Replacements: 16 Adrien Pelissie, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard.

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

AFP & @rugby365com

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