The All Blacks' dream of World Cup victory is over after France stunned the favourites 20-18 in Cardiff.
The New Zealanders blew a 13-0 lead to let the tenacious French back into the game and a match against England in the semi-finals. The quarter-final loss was the earliest World Cup exit ever for the All Blacks.
Graham Henry's men were the victims of some poor refereeing
decisions and a controversial Luke McAlister sin binning proved
crucial. A forward pass in the second French try was also
missed.
Both teams crossed for two tries - McAlister and Rodney
So'oialo for the Kiwis while Thierry Dusautoir and Yannick
Jauzion responded for the French. In the end a wayward Luke
McAlister conversion was the difference between the sides.
The French showed right from the off that they meant business. At the haka, they came right up to the half-way line to stare down the New Zealanders, adding to the tension of the do-or-die match.
A typical intense start claimed its first victim on five minutes when French big man Serge Betsen was knocked out by a stray Joe Rokocoko arm. The forward needed treatment for over five minutes before he was lead from the field.
Dan Carter was the first man on the scoreboard thanks to a 12th minute penalty and it was nearly the opening try from the All Blacks moments later when great work from McAlister eventually saw the ball coming out to Ali Williams, but the big lock just went into touch before placing the ball.
But it wasn't long before the All Blacks did cross for the first try when a neat Carter offload came to McAlister and the 24-year-old sliced through the French defence. A quick offload to the powerful Jerry Collins came back to the centre and McAlister crossed under pressure. Carter converted for a 10-0 lead on 17 minutes.
The All Blacks certainly had more of the ball in the first half, and they were helped by some wayward French line-outs.
The Kiwis moved out to 13-0 on 30 minutes when Carter struck a beautiful 43-metre penalty.
The French fluffed two chances to get on the scoreboard with stray penalties but Lionel Beauxis finally got the men in blue some points with a penalty with the last kick of the half.
Bernard Laporte's men started the strongest after the break and they were helped when McAlister was controversially sin binned for obstruction. A Beauxis penalty on 45 minutes narrowed the gap to just seven points.
The All Blacks stepped up the intensity despite being a man down but the French defence held strong against the wave of Kiwi pressure. But France broke clear on 54 minutes when some great team pressure saw Thierry Dusautoir cross for the first French try. Beauxis converted to tie up the scores. McAlister returned but it was the last action of the game for Carter, who limped off the field when his calf injury flared up again.
A raft of changes from Graham Henry gave the New Zealanders fresh legs and they were rewarded on 62 minutes when Rodney So'oialo placed the ball on the chalk for the second Kiwi try. McAlister missed the conversion as the All Blacks led 18-13 with 17 minutes left.
French playmaker Frederic Michalak was brought on in the 67th
minute and instantly made an impression setting up Yannick Jauzion
for try number two. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde converted to give
France the lead for the first time in the game.
In the end the French hung on for a famous victory and a match
against England in the semis.
New Zealand 18. Tries: Luke McAlister, Rodney So'oialo. Conversions: Dan Carter. Penalties: Dan Carter (2)
France: 20 . Tries: Thierry Dusautoir, Yannick Jauzion . Conversions: Lionel Beauxis, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde . Penalties: Lionel Beauxis (2)
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