NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
6 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
The Kiwis just managed to retain their five out of five win record at Carcassonne this morning (NZ time) when Ali Lauitiiti showed some handy footwork and crossed the line in the 77th minute of the game to come out on top 24-20.
A fired-up French side certainly came out to play on Frances' Remembrance Day and were looking for the opportunity to change a 24 year drought of defeat against New Zealand.
New Zealand got off to a very rough start and seemed to find it hard to get any cohesian early on conceding two tries to errors deep in their own territory.
The French halves in Maxime Greseque and skipper Julien Rinaldi played particularly well. Although the Kiwis scored five tries and the French three, Greseque caused havoc with his boot for the New Zealand team. He produced two 40-20 kicks, scored one try and landed all of his four attempts at goal, earning him the player of the match.
Clinton Toopi was the first to score for the Kiwis just after quarter time when he grubbered ahead and dived on the ball in the in-goal. The next was to come from Shontayne Hape who has shown his worth in his second outing for the Kiwis.
Winger, Claude Sirvent scored the second try for his team which was again converted.
New cap Jamaal Lolesi had a great game even though in the unfamiliar position of fullback and missed both attempts at goal from close to the sideline sending the New Zealanders to the halftime break trailing the French 8-12.
Both sides came out after the break ready to take battle and fought a very physically contest.
Toopi would be the first to score in the half to pick up his second of the match which was converted by halfback Robbie Paul.
Greseque would again prevail for the French with a penalty goal to even the score to 14-14. He then went on to make a crossfield bomb to set up winger Frederick Zitters for his four points. Greseques' successful goal put the French out to a 20-14 lead.
Kiwi skipper Ruben Wiki made an impressive impact from the interchange bench and burst his way over the try line with ten minutes to go to bring the New Zealanders back to within two points. With an unsuccessful attempt at goal by Robbie Paul when the ball hit the upright and a French crowd really getting behind their team things were not looking good for the Kiwis.
It would only be in the last 3 minutes of the match that the Lauitiiti flare would shatter the French hopes of a win when he showed his skill and crossed the line. Robbie Paul added the 2 points to seal the game.
KIWIS 24 Ali Lauitiiti, Ruben Wiki, Shontayne Hape, Clinton Toopi (2) - Tries Robbie Paul (2) - Goals
FRANCE 20 Maxime Greseque, Claude Sirvent, Frederick Zitter - Tries Maxime Greseque (4) - Goals