France exact revenge with 1 point win over Black Ferns

Krystal Murray of New Zealand. New Zealand Black Ferns v France
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

France have beaten the Black Ferns 18-17 in the inaugural WXV 1 Tournament in Wellington, ending New Zealand’s 16 match winning streak.

It was reminiscent of the last time the two sides met at last year’s Rugby World Cup, when the Black Ferns edged the French by one point in the semi-final.

But France managed to reverse that result at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

France punished mistakes from the home side early and opened the scoring with a try.

The Black Ferns bounced back courtesy of a Liana Mikaele-Tu’u try right under the post to go even 7-7.

But France struck again with another brilliant break-out try off a New Zealand mistake to lead 15-7 at half-time.

Black Ferns Co-captain Ruahei Demant.
Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

A penalty a piece and France led 18-10 but with 18 minutes remaining the Black Ferns were forced to play with 14 after Chryss Viliko was red-carded for a dangerous tackle.

The Black Ferns were buoyed when, with a player down, they managed to get a penalty off a scrum and it led to a try to Katelyn Vahaakolo off a clever Ruby Tui kick.

Co-captain Ruahei Demant then made the conversion to leave France clinging on to a slim 18-17 lead with a few minutes remaining.

But despite the pressure applied by the Black Ferns, France managed to hold on.

Earlier, Canada beat a gritty Wales 42-22 at the same venue.

Wales threatened to end a 17-year losing streak to Canada before they were eventually overpowered in their opening game of WXV1 in Wellington.