"It was magic": how Romain Ntamack's superb counter-attack woke up the Blues against the All Blacks

This is the kind of action where each additional stride gives the feeling that it will be part of the gallery of the most beautiful movements of the XV of France and that we will watch it in a loop on YouTube to remember the good times afterwards. a sad defeat. A long sprint to make the hairs of an incandescent Stade de France stand on end. And in a match where the Blues spend four tries, forty points (40-15) and win with a margin of 15 units over the All Blacks - historic gap - the mere fact that this offensive has marked the retinas so much says a lot on the value of the flight.

We breathe, and we dive back into the moment.

62nd minute.

The All Blacks have stuck three tries in twelve minutes to the Blues since returning to the lawn.

Sparkling in the first period, France seems to be sticking its tongue out and sees the best team in the world come back to two points (27-25).

"We were in a bad time," sums up the French captain Antoine Dupont.

Ball in the hands of All Blacks, or rather on the foot of the back Jordie Barrett who strikes a dangerous kick to follow for two of his partners, launched towards the French in-goal.

Everyone runs, including a Blue who arrives across: Romain Ntamack.

It's why we love this game, it's why we love watching France ... 🤩 # FRAvNZL #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/TV6bQFLf4O

- Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 20, 2021

Two weeks earlier, the man was already no longer on the lawn. Repositioned in the center to make way for Matthieu Jalibert at the opening against Argentina, the number 10 of Stade Toulouse was replaced in the 54th minute, after having had very few opportunities to showcase himself. His frustrated expression spoke volumes about his feelings of the evening. Change of position - and scenery - against the All Blacks. The Toulousain has regained his number 10, by virtue of his automatisms with his hinge buddy Antoine Dupont, and has already marked his territory by registering a superb try (12th) in the first act.

So here he is in his goal to play firefighters against New Zealand arsonists, and we imagine the 22-year-old player giving himself some air by hitting hard in touch.

Well no.

A noise on his counterpart Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett bypassed by whistling, and here is Romain Ntamack who runs along the sideline in his 22 m.

"Romain and the players said

stop

 "

The half opening pretends to transplant towards the axis, where three solid New Zealanders are waiting for him to shutter him, but at the same time serves Melvyn Jaminet, his foot pressed on the accelerator.

"Romain is coming out of an incredible situation, and I tell myself that I have to give everything and that I have to be in support," said the French striker, author of a 100% kicking Saturday night.

A superb blind pass later, and here is the Perpignanais who in turn escapes and spins, unopposed, parallel to the area where the French substitutes are installed.

Read also France - New Zealand: the notes of the Blues

"I shouted with all my strength," smiles the pillar Cyril Baille, left a quarter of an hour before. With the players on the bench, we did our best to push them on this. It was magical, it was incredible action. On the lawn, Melvyn Jaminet alerts his scrum half, Antoine Dupont, inside. “I don't know if it was the right choice or not,” still regrets the rear, who could also have tried his luck at the foot.

The French captain is caught and knocked down. But France has returned to close to 22m New Zealand, and the All Blacks are sticking their tongue out. The balloon comes out, flies across to Cameron Woki, who is thrown to the ground. But the third line of New Zealand Ardie Savea is at fault, and takes a yellow card (63rd). The Blues pass in numerical superiority and put three more points in the New Zealand bag by the foot of Jaminet (30-25, 64th). Four minutes later, Damian Penaud went to register the fourth try after an interception and sealed the fate of the match.

“It gave us confidence,” says Antoine Dupont.

This surge of pride has done a lot of good.

"It was an incredible moment in this match," says coach Fabien Galthié.

I had the impression that Romain and the players said

.

“And we offer a historic victory to French rugby, 21 years after the last success over New Zealand in France.