You are in > manchester.com  > News > All Black thrash France

Rugby Union

All Black thrash France

09/06/2007

New Zealand have beaten France 61-10 in the second Test in Wellington, confirming their place as the best side in the world.

The All Blacks ran in an incredible nine tries, including two for winger Joe Rokocoko while France could only manage one from Julien Laharrague.

Despite going 3-0 up from a Benjamin Boyet penalty France then struggled to keep the dominant Kiwi attack at bay.

Anton Oliver scored the first try from close range while Luke McAlister slotted over the conversion and two more penalties to stretch the lead.

Then two tries in two minutes took the game away from Les Bleu. First Byron Kelleher marked his 50th cap with a try before Rokocoko claimed the first of his brace.

The winger intercepted Laharrague's stray pass and sprinted down the flank untouched for the score.

He then added his second ten minutes later having wrong-footed the French defence to score and give the home side a 30-3 lead at half-time.

Leon MacDonald scored soon after the break as the All Blacks continued to ghost through a tired-looking defence.

Then came Laharrague's try after some good counter-attacking play by Nicolas Durand.

However that was as good as it got for the visitors as Isaia Toeava, Jerry Collins, Keven Mealamu and Nick Evans all crossed the whitewash before the end of the game.

Toeava's try was the pick of them streaking away in a brilliant solo effort.

The win was New Zealand's 23rd home victory in a row a beats England's previous record of 22. The All Blacks last defeat was in June 2003 to England 15-13.

© Adfero Ltd