Match report
France flyhalf Caroline Drouin missed a last-gasp penalty as defending champions New Zealand claimed a 25-24 win in a classic at Eden Park on Saturday and set up a blockbuster Women’s Rugby World Cup final against England. With a shot awarded in front after prop Santo Taumata was yellow-carded for a high tackle, Drouin shanked her last-minute kick left as the Black Ferns made a great escape in front of a roaring crowd.
Down 17-10 at half-time, the hosts charged into the lead through tries to Ruby Tui and Theresa Fitzpatrick and were well placed as France went a woman down with a yellow card for loose forward Safi N’Diaye for another high tackle in the 70th minute. No 8 Romane Menager scored a brace of tries in a powerhouse display, pulling the French within a point with 14 minutes left.
But Drouin’s late miss sealed their fate.
France inside centre Gabrielle Vernier declined to blame Drouin, saying the team could have won earlier. “We are so proud of us today,” she said. “We should have been better all the game, we should have been better in defence.”
New Zealand, winners of five of the last six World Cups, meet England in a repeat of the last final in 2017. England held off a spirited Canada 26-19 in the earlier semi-final at Eden Park. “It was an unbelievable ending, really,” New Zealand coach Wayne Smith said. “I thought it was gone, but it wasn’t gone. It’s there and we’ve got a chance next week.”
New Zealand saw off a fierce, 17-phase assault on their try-line in the opening minutes but the pressure finally told as Menager crashed over at the left post in the 23rd minute.
The French defence was brutal and Vernier was lucky not to draw a card after lifting winger Tui in a punishing tackle.
France finally conceded after Drouin kicked the ball out on the full after the half-hour mark, giving New Zealand a scrum in front of the posts. Fly-half Ruahei Demant flung the ball wide to Stacey Fluhler who streamed over near the left corner to fire up the crowd. Full-back Renee Holmes’s conversion levelled the match at 10-10 but the French came again, with Vernier bursting over by the left post on the stroke of half-time.
The match went up a notch as Holmes sent the French defence scrambling with a deft chip forward four minutes after the re-start. Tui won a sprint against Emilie Boulard, toed the ball out of the full-back’s grasp and chased it down for a try just before the dead-ball line.
Though Holmes missed the conversion and a long-range penalty a few minutes later, the Black Ferns’ running game was now in top gear as the French wearied. Lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos carried the hosts to two metres from their posts and Fitzpatrick barged over to snatch the lead for New Zealand near the hour-mark.
Demant slotted the conversion and a penalty to stretch the lead to eight points but Menager set up a grandstand finish as she pounded through a nest of Black Ferns for her second try.
Further drama was to come as Taumata crashed into hooker Agathe Sochat, the high tackle, spotted by the television match official, directly in front of the posts. From about 30 metres out, Drouin’s shot went well wide, leaving France in agony as Black Ferns scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge booted the ball out and home fans rejoiced. Reuters
Thank you so much for joining me for these two incredible semi-finals. We will see the highly anticipated final between New Zealand and England which was tipped ahead of the tournament. It’s an impossible one to call and it is set to be an absolute thriller. Speaking of exciting matches, these two semis were alright weren’t they? The understatement of the century. If you want to recap or get up to date with all the action from them, read the report below. Have a great week and I’ll see you back here for the final next Saturday!
Look at the precision on this Tui try:
Ruby Tui doing Ruby Tui things 👏
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 5, 2022
What a game we've got on here 🇫🇷🇳🇿#RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/Ammqq6pUax
Looking back at the England highlights and it feels like the game was played ages ago after the thriller between New Zealand and France! Feel free to drop me any assessments of either match via Twitter or email.
What we have learned from that game is that New Zealand do have chinks in their armour. But so do England. It is going to be a huge match in front of a massive crowd at Eden Park!
New Zealand player Sarah Hirini told ITV: “What the heck even happened in that game? Absolutely amazing, I’m just so proud… They are one of the best defensive teams I have ever faced.”
On the crowd: “We have some tough training and competitions and they push us to the end.”
And on England: “They are going to be tough, they are favourites in this competition, there is no doubt about it… biggest game of my life. I can’t wait!”
Just look how close France were to the final:
Absolute heartbreak for France as playmaker Caroline Drouin misses a penalty with 20 seconds left 💔
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 5, 2022
Delight for New Zealand as they reach the #RWC2021 final and what an advert for Women's Rugby 💪 pic.twitter.com/hWhWEn9BPz
New Zealand’s head coach Wayne Smith said: “It was an unbelievable ending. I thought we were jittery at the start… We needed to get the ball in behind them and I won’t tell you the other tactics!
And on the crowd: “It was brought back 2011 [when the All Blacks hosted']. We have another chance next week.”
New Zealand co-captain Demant said: “I’m proud. This is what it means [gesturing to the crowd]. I don’t think people realise how much difference it makes to us on the field. Our families and our country are supporting. People are coming out to support women and women’s rugby like never before.” I am now crying, the pride from her!
You have to feel for France, they were one kick away from their first World Cup final where they would have fancied their chances against England. I honestly can’t believe what we have just witnessed. What an advert for the game. Knock-out Test rugby just hits different.
I can’t believe it. I really though France had done that, they did all the vital work. They won the penalty in kickable range but Drouin’s kick was way wide. The pressure definitely got to her and I hope France Rugby give her huge support.
Full-time! New Zealand 25-24 France
Oh my god, heartbreak for France. Elation for New Zealand.
80 min: Oh my word she has biffed it. She has completely missed.
79 min: The referee is just making sure they get the right mark in order for France to take the penalty, my nerves cannot cope! WHAT A MATCH.
YELLOW CARD! New Zealand 25-24 France (Taumata, 79')
It’s Sochat that is hit, it seems she has been hit in the head by a shoulder. My heart is beating so fast! It’s a yellow card and France have the penalty! Oh my word can they steal this at the death?
79 min: Joy Neville is looking at something here, I think they are checking a tackle by a New Zealand player – could France have one more chance? It is kickable if this is a penalty! OMG I can’t cope.
79 min: France are going to have to build this try from their own half. Boulard is the latest to take the ball forward and France then stretch the ball wide. Left to right they are trying to find a way through this defence but so far no luck. It’s spilled and New Zealand reclaim it. So close France but that could be it.
77 min: The driving maul from the line-out is halted and France are forced to put it through the hands. What a hit from Fitzpatrick and it causes New Zealand to win the penalty! This could be the turning point here as Demant clears their lines, an opportunity missed from France. France almost steal the line-out but it is New Zealand’s and they are looking to close this out. But Bourdon has turned over!
75 min: France kick upfield and win the line-out. France have the penalty from the breakdown and Drouin kicks upfield! Any penalties given away from the hosts now could result in a kickable pen. I am so nervous!
73 min: Demant spills again but it is knocked on by France. New Zealand take it quickly but Drouin turns it over! This match is absolutely insane and breathless! Tui has it now but Menager gets the tackle. But, you guessed it, France turn it over. The brutal nature of this game is showing with multiple players receiving treatment.
71 min: New Zealand kick to the corner but France steal the line-out! France know just how close they are to their first World Cup final, just a few points! Jacquet makes some vital metres as France look to build from deep. But Boulard is chucked into touch.
YELLOW CARD! New Zealand 25-24 France (N'Diaye, 70')
There’s contact to the head by N’Diaye’s shoulder and she is off! What impact will that have.
Updated
69 min: New Zealand win the line-out and they are on the charge. There’s a TMO check for a high tackle by N’diaye.
68 min: We are back underway and Lindelauf has come off injured so Desahye is back on.
68 min: New Zealand have the advantage as they play from their own half. But it’s advantage over and Demant spills! Escudero kicks away but there’s a break in play with players receiving treatment.
67 min: What an exciting and thrilling semi-final this is! The hosts have a one point lead with 13 minutes to go, it is all to play for! Ferer is off and Mayans is on for France. New Zealand on the ball.
TRY! New Zealand 25-24 France (R Menager, 65')
France have the line-out and it is good. They put the driving maul to work but they run it and Menager is under the posts!! Oh my word this is coming down to the wire, drouin gets the extras.
Updated
64 min: Woodman is singing and bouncing along with the music at Eden Park, New Zealand are jumping. Fall and M Menager are off and N’diaye and Jacquet are on for France. There’s a break in play as Fluhler has cramp.
PENALTY! New Zealand 25-17 France (Demant, 63')
It is over! New Zealand in full control.
62 min: It may be a French scrum but New Zealand have the penalty! Cocksedge takes it quickly again and her team are flying here – they have the advantage here. We come back for the penalty and they point to the sticks.
60 min: This is the first time New Zealand have been ahead all match! France will have to put in quite a shift to get the hosts to give up this lead. Leti-I’iga, who is on from the bench, is inches away from collecting a cross field kick from Demant. A French scrum to come.
TRY! New Zealand 22-17 France (Fitzpatrick, 58')
New Zealand kick to the corner and their line-out is good. They employ the maul and it is marching forward. France bring it down though and the hosts run it through the hands and Fitzpatrick comes from nowhere to crash over! Demant is on the kicking duties and slots the extras.
Updated
56 min: Rule is down injured here again but she is fit to continue and France are making a replacement with Deshaye off for Lindelauf. The TMO has picked something up and the penalty has been reversed as there was a tackle off the ball from France!
55 min: It’s a bit like tennis at the moment with the possession changing hands. Fall makes an incredible break but she holds on at the breakdown, Cocksedge clears and now the kicking game is in play. Fitzpatrick has it and she muscles through some defenders and New Zealand win the penalty – they play it quickly! This is breathless. France manage to turn it over through Deshaye at the breakdown, wow.
Updated
53 min: Apologies it was Joyeux who was down injured and she has been replaced – I shall confirm who with when I have the info. New Zealand are fighting to get out of their own half here and Cocksedge box kicks away. France are in attack now but Grisez lobs the ball infield to keep it in play. Possession exchanges hands every few seconds here!
51 min: New Zealand steal the ball at the line-out! This second half is so end-to-end. AS I say that France turn the ball over and they are coming again. France don’t release at the ruck though and New Zealand have it. There’s a break in play as Sochat receives some treatment.
50 min: Holmes misses the penalty and New Zealand remain behind. France boot the ball upfield and the hosts are soon in possession. Boulard gets the ball back in the kicking game and she slots a 50:22! Murray is on for Love for New Zealand.
48 min: New Zealand have been fuelled by that Tui try and they are going through the hands. But the pass to Tui is loose and France come away with it, they don’t have the ball for long though as New Zealand win a breakdown penalty! I’m finding it hard to keep up with all the action. They have pointed to the sticks.
47 min: Wow, this game is impossible to call! New Zealand are currently on the ball but Brendan has got in touch via Twitter: “My preference in the Final would definitely be France. I think the lift for NZ playing in a home final would be one of the few things which could disrupt the Red Roses.”
TRY! New Zealand 15-17 France (Tui, 44')
It is awarded! Boulard couldn’t collect it and Tui pounces – wow, wow, wow. Holmes misses the extras.
Updated
44 min: A frantic start to the second 40 but it seems New Zealand are shaken by a strong France side. The France scrum sees them come away with it but Bourdon kicks away and Woodman starts New Zealand’s attack. They kick through and France cannot re-collect and Tui dives on the ball over the line! Wow, the TMO is checking but if that’s scored that is impressive
42 min: New Zealand knock on from the restart and France play with the advantage. Fluhler is scrappy under high ball too but it is backwards this time, New Zealand on the attack. But France have turned it over, Bourdon’s clearance kick is out on the full – New Zealand line-out to come. France really need to be more clinical with their kicking game but they manage to pull back to ball at the line-out!
Back underway! New Zealand 10-17 France
So will the hosts leave the competition after the next 40 minutes? Or can New Zealand blow France away? France will destroy some records if they do get the win here:
The @BlackFerns winning machine...#RWC2021 | #NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/iKqOScVRpE
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 5, 2022
England fans who would you rather see your team face in the final? France or New Zealand? Whatever the match up it will be a huge Test match. But let me know if you have a preference via Twitter and email.
Whoever ends up winning this match, in which France have the upper hand, they will face England in the final. The Red Roses defeated Canada in a tight and thrilling match earlier today. Catch up with all the action with Rob Kitson’s report here:
A run down of that half, France got the first points with Drouin kicking a penalty. They also got the first try with R Menager going over before New Zealand launched a comeback. It was a mirror of France’s points with Holmes adding a penalty and then Fluhler went over. But France managed to nudge themselves ahead before half-time. Game on!
Half-time! New Zealand 10-17 France
Well, France could be knocking out the hosts here! They are 40 minutes away from their first World Cup final.
TRY! New Zealand 10-17 France (Vernier, 40')
Amazing in defence and now in attack from Vernier! France will love having that try right on half time, they do deserve to be ahead it feels. Drouin adds the extras.
Updated
39 min: France are plugging away at this New Zealand defence, they want to be ahead at the break!
38 min: Well after all their hard work in defence, it is all to play for. That all came from Drouin’s poor goal line drop out. France have the penalty now and they kick to the corner.
TRY! New Zealand 10-10 France (Fluhler, 35')
Wow! New Zealand win the scrum penalty and Cocksedge takes it quickly. The ball drifts out to Fluhler who goes over. Holmes hits the extras.
Updated
34 min: Here come New Zealand again, surely they are going to find a try soon? But no, despite New Zealand running over their try line, Fall has done incredibly well to hold up the ball! Wow! Drouin’s goal line drop out is out on the fall though and France will have the scrum. There’s a break in play ahead of the set piece with Ferer receiving treatment.
32 min: Redmond had got in touch via email and said: “French off to a good start, but how do they sustain this and how do they stack up to England?” France managed to maintain a good performance for the full 80 against England so they are capable of doing it here. France and England are two high quality teams and both are amazing at set piece. I think the difference between them is England are better at attack and France better at defence. Back to the match, New Zealand are on the hunt here and are in the 22 but Fitzpatrick spills!
PENALTY! New Zealand 3-10 France (Holmes, 29')
The full-back knocks it over and they reduce France’s lead to seven points.
29 min: New Zealand kick to the corner and Ponsonby’s line-out if good. The maul marches on but France once again do well to bring it down legally. The Black Ferns get the advantage as the French are off their feet and New Zealand point to the sticks.
27 min: It is a penalty over as it isn’t clearly above the horizontal, the crowd don’t like that. Tui is staying on.
27 min: France get it back but Drouin’s kick goes straight out of play. Ponsonby’s line-out is lost and Bourdon clears the lines. Woodman catches the high ball and the Black Ferns look to strike. Tui gets absolutely thrown by Vernier and the New Zealander is injured here, TMO looking for a dangerous tackle here.
25 min: Well, the crowd will have to get behind their team now. France are showing they are developing in this tournament. Against England their defence was impeccable but their attack was not clinical enough but today they are making sure they get the points on the board. The kicking game comes into play but New Zealand are running it now.
TRY! New Zealand 0-10 France (R Menager, 23')
Sochat’s line-out is clean once more and France are looking for the first try of the match here. The maul is marching but New Zealand bring it down legally! They run it through the hands and R Menager is over! This is her first match since their game against France after sustaining a head injury, so valuable for this team. Drouin adds the extras.
Updated
21 min: Apologies, it wasn’t a scrum it was a line-out. It is scrappy from France but they have it and Bourdon brings the kicking game into play, it is a great tactic in the end with Holmes’ kick out on the full. Another line-out sees the French maul and France have the advantage, Drouin kicks cross field and Woodman has it but we come back to the advantage. France kick to the corner.
19 min: France come away with the ball from the scrum and Drouin kicks away. New Zealand again on the attack but they are building from halfway. Escudero makes three tackles in a row! This French defence is brutal and it works as New Zealand are loose once more and France have the scrum.
17 min: Deshaye is to continue but the pause was slightly longer as the players had a water break. Back underway now.
17 min: New Zealand knock on through Rule! The hosts are shaken here but France aren’t quite settled either. France scrum but Deshaye is receiving treatment before the set piece.
16 min: New Zealand’s driving maul is well defended by France as the hosts are forced to play with ball in hand. They think they have it down over the line but this time France hold it up over the line! What a defensive effort and France have a goal line drip out. New Zealand are quickly back with the ball and they set off in pursuit of their first points.
14 min: France’s line-out was under pressure but they come away with it but they lose it at the breakdown with a knock on. After a reset at the New Zealand scrum they win the penalty! Demant boots the ball to the corner.
Updated
12 min: Rule is able to continue and France’s line-out is good once more. France try quick flowing rugby but a pass to Fall doesn’t go to hand and Demant clears with a kick. Ponsonby’s line-out is good and New Zealand have their best attacking platform in this match. But France again do really well at the breakdown and they get the penalty. France are a real mean defensive outfit. However, all their good work is wasted with Drouin unable to find touch and Cocksedge finds a great touch.
10 min: There is a break in play as Rule receives some treatment ahead of the French line-out.
9 min: It has been all France so far and New Zealand will want to be on the attacking foot soon. Fall does really well to keep the ball with France as New Zealand looked as though they had turned it over. The French are building from deep here but as Menager tries to keep it in play, her pass is forward. New Zealand on the front foot now but not for long! France win the breakdown penalty, a really break start from them. Drouin kicks to the corner.
PENALTY! New Zealand 0-3 France (Drouin, 7')
It is over from the fly-half. Game on!
6 min: Filopon is almost through and France are just metres from the line here! They are into double figure phases but Bourdon is whacked backwards. France have the advantage and we come back for it as France are held up. The French point to the sticks, they want the points.
4 min: Sochat’s line-out is good but New Zealand do well to defend the driving maul. The French run it through Bourdon and run through the phases. M Menager makes vital metres with Tui eventually bringing her down.
2 min: New Zealand have an early penalty and they take it quickly. Boulard gets the kicking game into play but New Zealand decide to run it and there’s an uncharacteristic handling error – backwards though. But Bremner then knocks on a few phases later. A France scrum sees them come away with the penalty! They kick to the corner.
Kick-off! New Zealand 0-0 France
So can France knock out the hosts? Or will New Zealand be able to batter down the impressive French defence? We will soon find out …
Before today started this semi-final was harder to call than England’s. Then Canada almost caused an upset which has just made me more excited for this one! Who will get the win here? Kick-off coming in five minutes.
The players will be out shortly and the haka and anthems will follow. The haka is always emotional and will be even more so with Eden Park filling up ahead of the match.
Get in touch and let me know how you’re feeling this morning! You can reach me via Twitter or email, I am surprisingly very awake but I think that’s from the adrenaline from England’s win over Canada – a cracking match.
A fun fact for you:
Not many teams have won four matches in a row against the @BlackFerns
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 4, 2022
In fact no teams have. Ever. Except for @FranceRugby
Will they make it five wins in a row in the #RWC2021 semi-final?#NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/9wseXbTMUC
The team news is here! New Zealand have made one change to their starting XV with Renee Holmes back in at full-back. The move sees Ruby Tui back on the win with Ayesha Leti-I’iga dropping to the bench
New Zealand starting XV: Renee Holmes; Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman; Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge; Phillipa Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaukani Roos, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner, Sarah Hirini, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.
Replacements: Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Santo Taumata, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
France, meanwhile, have also made one change with Romane Menager coming back into the squad. She had missed out on the last two games after sustaining a head injury against England.
France starting XV: Emilie Boulard; Joanna Grisez, Maëlle Filopon, Gabrielle Vernier Marine Ménager; Caroline Drouin, Pauline Bourdon; Annaëlle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat, Clara Joyeux, Céline Ferer, Madoussou Fall, Gaëlle Hermet (captain), Charlotte Escudero, Romane Ménager.
Replacements: Célia Domain, Coco Lindelauf, Assia Khalfaoui, Safi N’Diaye, Marjorie Mayans, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Queyroi, Chloé Jacquet.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the second semi-final of the Rugby World Cup! England have just beaten Canada in their semi which mean whoever wins this upcoming fixture will face the Red Roses in the final. And what a treat we have coming up with hosts New Zealand taking on France.
The Black Ferns have wowed with their attack this tournament, particularly though Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui. They had answers for any question against Wales in their quarter-final but they face a different beast in France. The French have been electric in defence, only conceding one try when they played England in the pool stage. It will be difficult to batter down their defence but France’s attack is not always clinical so it will be an intriguing match up today.
The team news is out so stay tuned for all the updates ahead of kick-off at 6.30am GMT.
