WELLINGTON: France used a watertight defense to stun world champions New Zealand 18-17 in a surprise result at the WXV1 top-tier women’s rugby tournament in Wellington on Saturday. The French claimed an early lead and defended it bravely, making more than 200 tackles to snatch a first-ever win over the Black Ferns on New Zealand soil and hand the tournament hosts their first defeat against any side for two years. The result also exacts some revenge for France’s heartbreaking Rugby World Cup exit last year, when beaten by New Zealand by a single point in the semi-finals.

Captain Manae Feleu said her third-ranked French side had tackled their way to victory. “We knew it was going to be a great battle against the Black Ferns, they are world champions,” she said. “We knew it was going to be hard and tough for 80 minutes and I’m just grateful we gave it 100 percent.” Operating with less possession, France opened up a 15-7 lead at halftime through long-range tries to wingers Emilie Boulard and Cyrielle Banet.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u scored New Zealand’s opening try but her team slipped further behind when Morgane Bourgeois landed penalties on either side of the interval. New Zealand’s chances diminished when replacement prop Chryss Viliko was shown a red card for an illegal cleanout with 15 minutes remaining but her team regrouped and created a try for winger Katelyn Vaha’akolo to close within one point. Black Ferns captain Ruahei Demant said her team would need to improve for their remaining matches against Wales and England.

“We were down in their half a lot but we didn’t capitalize on the pressure we were putting them under,” Demant said. “We know what the French bring. You can’t mistake because they punish you.” It completed the first of three rounds of matches at the inaugural tournament which features the six leading women’s teams. Canada beat Wales 42-22 earlier on Saturday, after top-ranked England opened with a 42-7 rout of Australia on Friday. Goal-kicking forward Sophie de Goede scored 17 points for Canada, converting all six of their tries, including her own.

The fourth-ranked Canadians pulled clear in the second half after leading by four points at the interval. The second round of matches is in Dunedin next week, with England facing Canada in the clash of two unbeaten sides, while New Zealand play Wales and France meet Australia. The tournament concludes in Auckland, where the highlight is expected to be a rematch of last year’s World Cup final, between New Zealand and England. — AFP