France 12 - 39 New Zealand: McCaw honoured as All Blacks hand out a lesson

Published on Sunday 29 November 2009 21:48

NEW Zealand captain Richie McCaw described himself as "extremely proud" after being named the International Rugby Board player of the year for 2009. It is the second time the openside flanker has received the accolade following his success in 2006.

"It is a huge honour. I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well," the 28-year-old said following New Zealand's win in Marseille.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry congratulated his skipper, saying: "He is the leader of our team, shows a huge amount of character and commitment both on and off the field and is truly deserving of this honour."

McCaw beat Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Brian O'Driscoll, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Francois Steyn, Australia's Matt Giteau and England's Tom Croft to the award.

Meanwhile, France coach Marc Lievremont urged his players to bounce back in this season's Six Nations tournament.

Lievremont, however, is still proud of his men despite defeat to the All Blacks, following a 20-13 victory over world champions South Africa and a 43-5 win against Samoa in the two preceding weeks.

"There is absolutely no anger," Lievremont said. "I'm disappointed but I'm also proud of my players because to have a great rugby match you need two teams. We realised pretty soon that we were facing a great New Zealand team, but the players kept playing and being brave through the end."

Overwhelmed by the All Blacks' speed and accuracy, France conceded five tries. The home team initially matched the their opponents during the opening 20 minutes before receiving a lesson.

"This is a hungover morning, but we believe in this group's potential," Lievremont said. "The step was too high against the All Blacks and we have to bounce back. Of course, we are forced to reconsider our global performance this autumn after such a thrashing. We've been brought back to earth."

The French forwards imposed their might on the Springboks and had a fine attacking display against Samoa, but the team struggled at the breakdown against the All Blacks and rarely threatened.

France conceded the first try after only eight minutes and missed a great chance to get back in the match moments later when scrum-half Francois Trinh-Duc threw a forward pass at the conclusion of a nice attacking move that had outpaced the Kiwis' defence. The French halves' pairing made of Trinh-Duc and No9 Julien Dupuy were disappointing, while New Zealand scrum-half Daniel Carter was outstanding, kicking 14 points and making decisive tactical choices to earn the man-of-the-match award. When asked to compare Trinh-Duc with Carter, Lievremont said: "Francois saw his limits. We appreciate Francois' potential and he showed us some great aspects of his game against Samoa. We hope that he will improve."

Without trying to downplay the result, Lievremont added that the match was more important to the All Blacks, who entered the game determined to avenge France's first win in New Zealand in 15 years last June and to salvage a mediocre season.

And Carter agreed, saying: "It was the most important match of our tour because France is probably the team which plays the best rugby in the northern hemisphere."

New Zealand, who regained the No1 world ranking spot from South Africa earlier this month, play the Barbarians next week at Twickenham.

Scorers: France: Pens: Dupuy 3. Drop Goals: Trinh-Duc.

New Zealand: Tries: Sivivatu, Muliaina, Kaino, Jane, C Smith. Cons: Carter 4. Pens: Carter 2.

France: Traille; Clerc, Marty, Jauzion, Medard; Trinh-Duc, Dupuy; Barcella, Servat, Marconnet, Chabal, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Bonnaire. Replacements: David for Jauzion (63), Parra for Dupuy (59), Szarzewski for Servat (47), Mas for Marconnet (51), Nallet for Chabal (52), Puricelli for Ouedraogo (63). Not used: Heymans.

New Zealand: Muliaina; Jane, C Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu; Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Hore, Tialata, Thorn, Donnelly, Kaino, McCaw, Read. Replacements: McAlister for Nonu (71), Donald for Carter (77), Ellis for Cowan (75), Flynn for Hore (74), Boric for Tialata (65), Franks for Thorn (65). Not used: Latimer.

Att: 76,354 Ref: A Rowlands (Ireland).