Christchurch: France crack after the break

France women ended their WXV Global Series on Saturday at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

France held for one half. Trailing 12-7 at the break after a try from hooker Mailys Mailagi, making her first start, converted by Carla Arbez in the 40th minute, they did not score again. New Zealand ran in four more tries to win 36-7.

Two chances wasted, a bench that made the difference

It had begun with a French surge: Assia Khalfaoui was held up in-goal in the 3rd minute. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (11th), from a Ruahei Demant cross-kick, and Braxton Sorensen-McGee (17th) then punished French errors. Marie Morland finished with 21 tackles, Dicodusport noted, but the defence eventually gave way.

Tuliau-Tua’a completed her double in the corner in the 49th minute. Three of New Zealand’s six tries then came from replacements: Maddi Robinson (57th), Mererangi Paul (66th) and Vici-Rose Green (76th). Even with a numerical advantage after Tuliau-Tua’a’s yellow card for a high tackle (63rd), France could not score. Anais Grando let another chance slip in the 70th minute, alone in front of the line after a maul.

A tour with 148 points conceded

After the 81-12 in Hamilton and last week’s 31-12, this 36-7 closes a tour without a win. It is France’s sixth straight defeat to the Black Ferns, whom they have not beaten since the 18-17 of October 2023. Across these Global Series, France finish with two wins and four defeats, the wins over Australia (29-26) and Canada (21-5), both in France in September.

The context matters. Francois Ratier had 11 players with fewer than five caps in his matchday squad, including a brand-new centre pairing, Elodie Fernandez and Charlie Gauyat, with three caps each. Without Pauline Bourdon-Sansus and Manae Feleu before departure, France then lost Gabrielle Vernier to injury.