Eden Park in Auckland has developed a reputation over the last two decades as a burial grounds for any All Blacks opponents. No team has beaten them at Eden Park since the French in 1994.
19 years of dominance was put to the test this weekend when Thierry Dusatoir’s French side challenged the All Blacks in the first test of the Stein larger series.
Both teams came out showing intent to run early on. Ten minutes into the game, the French outside center Fritz broke the All Blacks defensive line, drew in the last defender and sent Wesley Fofana over the line for the first score of the game. Half-back Maxime Machanaud was spot on with the kick. In response the All Blacks won a penalty off the kick off but Aaron Cruden was off the mark from 40m out on the angle.
The scrums all through the game were extremely scrappy with a total of 11 scrum penalties over the course of the game. The first of which was conceded by the French 30m away from the goal line five meters in from touch. Cruden who has been in relatively good form with the boot was off target for a second time and kept Les Blues 7-0 ahead. 23 minutes into the game Cruden finally found his mark with a wavering penalty from 35m out.
New Zealand’s inform player Ben Smith came in off his wing in the 33 minute mark on a counter attack from the back and carved through the French defence to set Aaron Smith up for a try on the inside. Cruden knocked over the extra two giving the Kiwis their first lead of the game at 10-03. Just minutes later Machanaud added penalty to tie the score. In the 38th minute Ma’a Nonu whose form has been brought to question of late demonstrated why he is Steve Hanson’s first choice 12 when he snuck through the French defence and offloaded to Aaron Smith who in turn set up Sam Cane to go under the posts. Cruden’s kick meant the All Blacks led 17-10 at half time.
The French were clearly up for the challenge in the second half as they spent more than 80% of the first ten minutes of the half in the All Black’s half. Fly-half Camille Lopez who took over kicking duties after Machanaud went off with an injury managed to put over a 45m penalty two bring the game within four points. Cruden slotted over two more penalties in the 54th and 73rd minutes to seal the game for the Kiwis at 23-13.
Though both sides threatened all through the half neither side could break the opposition defense. The set pieces were scrappy for most of the game and there were quite a few handling errors. Both teams struggled to retain position in attack but were extremely good in defense which enabled many a turnover.
The teams will now travel to Christchurch to play the second test next Saturday.
In other games
British and Irish Lions beat the Queensland Reds 22-12
South Africa beat Italy 44-10
Ireland bt. USA 12-15
England beat Argentina 32-03
