‘We’re in control’: Ardie Savea reflects on All Blacks’ loss to France

Backrower Ardie Savea was left visibly “gutted” and “extremely disappointed” after New Zealand’s thrilling 30-29 loss to France in Saint-Denis, Paris. Despite a valiant effort from the visitors, Les Bleus held on to secure their third win on the bounce over the All Blacks.

Following wins over Japan, England and Ireland, New Zealand looked to keep the good times going with another statement win on the road. But the challenge that awaited them was by no means simple, with Antoin Dupont’s France raring to go before their shot at history.

It had been 30 years since France beat the All Blacks three times in a row, but that changed this weekend in the Autumn Nations Series. New Zealand led 14-3 in the 27^th minute after tries to Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard, but the match’s momentum soon swung in the hosts’ favour.

Tomas Ramos was especially important with the flyhalf nailing three conversions and three penalties on the night. Les Bleus led 24-17 with less than 30 minutes to play, and while Damian McKenzie kicked the All Blacks to within one point of the lead, victory wouldn’t be theirs.

France’s defensive wall stood tall in the end as the All Blacks fell to their first loss since their 18-12 defeat to the world champion Springboks in Cape Town in early September. It’s a result which left reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea feeling “extremely disappointed.”

“We put ourselves right in there to win the game but our silly mistakes, we turned the ball over and the French squad, they’re a quality side, will punish us and they did,” Savea said on the post-game broadcast. “Pretty gutted.

“We felt like we’re in control and we’re pretty accurate in the first half, holding the ball, having possession and getting penalties and we’re scoring.

“In the second half, we kind of let them in the game. They applied pressure on us but we couldn’t handle it. Towards the end we just got stuck on our line and we couldn’t do it.

“Although I’m extremely disappointed, I’m really proud of the boys. We’ve got next week to go. Disappointed but we’ve got to move forward.”

That result brings an end to the All Blacks' hopes of an unbeaten run during their Northern Tour. New Zealand held on in a tense battle to beat England 24-22, and a 23-13 win at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium saw the knock Dublin off top spot on World Rugby’s men’s rankings.

For the All Blacks to beat England, Ireland and France in consecutive weeks was always going to be a tough ask, and that proved to be the case. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel as Scott Robertson’s men still have one more Test to play in 2024 before the international year is done.

The New Zealanders will take on Italy next Sunday morning (NZST) at Allianz Stadium, which is the home of Italian football giants Juventus FC. This will be the first meeting between the teams since last year’s Rugby World Cup, which the All Blacks won 96-17 in Lyon.

“We wanted to win everything and we didn’t get it tonight,” Savea reflected.

“That’s credit to the French squad, they’re a quality side.

“We’ll have to look In the mirror, see where we could’ve put the nail in the coffin because we didn’t do it tonight.”