After a magnificent semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland, the French team ended up losing to New Zealand.
A cruel defeat for Les Bleues who aspired to play the first world final in their history.
And who believed in it, especially after a perfect start to the match with a 10-0 in 25 minutes inflicted on the Black Ferns who had long been powerless against the defensive wall erected by the French.
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But little by little, it ended up giving in on a first try from Fluhler (35th).
Nevertheless, the reaction of pride from the French proved to be immediate with a try from Vernier just before the break, which Les Bleues reached in front of the scoreboard (10-17).
Alas, as soon as the resumption, the New Zealanders moved forward thanks to the opportunism of Tui (15-17, 44th), before Fitzpatrick gave his team the advantage for the first time with a third try (22 -17, 57th).
French affairs were further complicated with the penalty scored by Demant on the hour mark (25-17).
However, the Bleues, as valiant as they were stubborn, did not let go and Ménager scored the second try of his evening in the 64th minute to completely revive the suspense (25-24).
But in the 69th minute, on a tackle too high, N'Diaye was sanctioned with a yellow card and France was reduced to finishing the match, within a few seconds, at 14. And a last penalty from Drouin, at a minute from the end, failed far from the posts, putting an end to the blue dream...
