RUGBY WORLD CUP.

New Zealand (13) 18
Try: McAlister, So'oialo
Pens: Carter (2)
Cons: Carter


France (3) 20
Try: Dusautoir, Jauzion
Pens: Beauxis (2)
Cons: Beauxis, Elissalde

France set up a World Cup semi-final with England after a stunning win over hot favourites New Zealand in Cardiff.

The All Blacks dominated the first half but only had Luke McAlister's try to show for it, with Lionel Beauxis's penalty being France's lone score.

After McAlister was sin-binned early in the second half, Thierry Dusautoir took advantage to score and level the game.

Rodney So'oialo's try restored New Zealand's lead before Yannick Jauzion scored France's match-winning try.


France made their intentions clear by staring down the New Zealand haka before kick-off, but the early loss of Serge Betsen, knocked out cold in a fourth-minute ruck, disrupted their plans.

Dan Carter's early penalty put New Zealand ahead and it looked like a try was sure to follow when McAlister ran straight through the French defensive line minutes later.

But a brilliant tackle by Vincent Clerc forced Ali Williams's feet into touch as he tried to go over in the corner.

That McAlister cameo showed just what a threat he was, though, and it was not long before that threat was converted into points.

Carter's expertly-timed pass sent Sale's new recruit through the French defence once again and he flew over after swapping passes with Jerry Collins.

Another Carter penalty extended the lead as France failed to live up to their pre-match theatrics with any positive action.

They chose not to run the ball out of defence in the first half-hour and only had one Beauxis penalty on the board at the break.

But the game turned just after the restart, when McAlister was sin-binned for deliberate obstruction on Jauzion as he chased Beauxis's kick-through.

France's backs finally sprung into life as a meaningful attacking force, Dusautoir finding a way through on the right to touch down behind the posts.

So'oialo slid under several challenges to claim New Zealand's second try and restore the lead, but the introduction of Frederic Michalak had instant effect as France promptly went ahead for the first time.

Damien Traille fed the fly-half, whose burst of speed took him away from the chasing New Zealand players before he off-loaded to Jauzion to touch down.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde's conversion put France on top and, inspiring comparisons with their legendary 1999 semi-final win over the All Blacks, they held on for a famous win.

New Zealand's defeat meant they failed to reach the semi-final for the first time in World Cup history.

New Zealand:
MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.
Replacements:
Hore, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

France:
Traille, Clerc, Marty, Jauzion, Heymans, Beauxis, Elissalde; Milloud, Ibanez (capt), De Villiers, Pelous, Thion, Betsen, Dusautoir, Bonnaire.
Replacements: Szarzewski, Poux, Chabal, Harinordoquy, Michalak, Dominici, Poitrenaud.