New Zealand: the Blues overcome the All Blacks at the end of the suspense

75^e minute. And a small point lead for the Blues who came from nowhere. Dominated but heroic in defense, valiant in combat. Not letting go of anything. Never. Damian McKenzie has therefore just brought the All Blacks to within one point of these French people always standing in squalls, gusts, storms. Five minutes to beat New Zealand for the third time in a row. Pushed by the 80,000 spectators, carried by their incredible determination to sign an exploit against the Blacks who had just won at Twickenham then Dublin, they threw their last strength into the furious battle. To explode the Stade de France so proud of its 23 warriors (30-29).

It hit hard from the start. 90 seconds into the game and third-row Finau had to leave the pitch, injured. Joined by the tricolor pillar Tevita Tatafu a few minutes later (9^e). Just after the All Blacks scored the first try of the game. An incursion on the right wing by Gabin Villière. Who had missed the first tackle. Imitated by Ramos, Dupont and Buros on the rush of Savea, who only had to serve his teammate (3-7, 9^e).

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The Blacks strike the first blows, but…

The New Zealanders, in white, then subjected the Blues to very long sequences of tucks. Who held on as best they could in defense, despite 18 missed tackles in the first half. A pair of balloons torn off to breathe a little. But three stray balls in touch on Mauvaka's throw to put himself under pressure again. The conquest was faltering. The first line received penalties in closed scrum.

On one of them, once again heckled in the French 22 meters, Alldritt, on the back, tried to pass to Dupont, but the opposing scrum half was more lively. Interception and try for Roigard (27^e3-14). Frankly, things were rocking everywhere and we were then right to fear the worst for the Blues deprived of the ball. Except that the French pack then decided to fight back.

Yet another big breakthrough from Meafou, yet another pick-and-go from Gros and the forwards were only a few centimeters from the New Zealand goal. Dupont then opened, relay from Ramos and try from Romain Buros for his first selection, the UBB rear having resisted the return of winger Reece. 10-14 at 32^e minute, it was well paid for the XV of France. Who went back to defending, conceding a penalty (10-17, 37^e), watching with relief as Beauden Barrett's drop missed its target (40^e).

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An improbable 14-0

Seven points behind at the break therefore. And some concerns about the possibility of the French XV to maintain this hellish pace, this crazy intensity, this endless session of tackles. But the opposite was going to happen. Pénaltouche in the Kiwis’ 22. Big ball carried from the tricolor pack, concluded in a corner by Paul Boudehent (his third try in a week after his double against Japan), which did not prevent Thomas Ramos from continuing his flawless footing (17-17, 43^e minute). The wall rose again to repel the white waves and, on a big tackle, one more, the All Blacks released the ball. Thomas Ramos immediately pushed him at the foot and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, known as LBB, known as the “Bip-Bip”, beat his quick opponents to inflict an improbable 14-0 in eight minutes (24-17, 51^e).

A new penalty from Beauden Barrett (53rd), the response from Ramos (58th^e) and a French team which still leads at the hour mark (27-20). A lead which did not extinguish the offensive desires of the All Blacks. Attacking, again and again, a united and heroic French defense. Who, however, conceded a few penalties, allowing Damian McKenzie to bring his team to a small point (62^e et 67^e27-26). Ramos, impeccable on his feet, gave some air (30-26, 73rd). For less than a minute, McKenzie immediately brought his team back (30-29, 74^e). It was the last five minutes of tension at its peak in a melting Stade de France.