"Bravo to all the players," said Bernard Laporte, France coach.
"After losing the first match to Argentina, we suffered a lot of things but tonight the response was there.
"We beat a great team and we want to go further."
The All Blacks led 13-3 at halftime thanks to a Luke McAlister try and two Daniel Carter penalties while the French struggled with their attempts at goal, but the tide turned in the second half.
Thierry Dusautoir, France flanker, crossed for a try while McAlister was in the sin-bin and although Rodney So'oialo hit back with a try for the All Blacks, France had the final say when Yannick Jauzion scored and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde converted to give them the lead and an eventual victory.
France suffered a big setback after five minutes when flanker Serge Betsen was forced to leave the field with concussion after a tackle on New Zealand winger Joe Rokocoko.
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"After losing the first match to Argentina, we suffered a lot of things but tonight the response was there."
Bernard Laporte,
France coach |
The All Blacks looked sharp early, putting together 13 phases before being awarded a penalty which Carter easily converted for the first score of the match.
In the 16th minute McAlister made a sensational break up the middle before Ali Williams just put his foot in to touch as he went for the corner, but just seconds later it was McAlister again who carved open the French defence before exchanging passes with Jerry Collins and sliding over for the first try.
Ominous start
The New Zealand backline looked in ominous form early in the match as they looked to run the ball at every opportunity, while their forwards stole five French line-out throws.
France had their first opportunity to get on the board in the 25th minute, but flyhalf Lionel Beauxis hooked his penalty attempt wide.
Carter had his second penalty shot at goal on the half hour mark and again made no mistake to make it 13-0.
France had another chance to get on the board with four minutes remaining in the half, but this time scrumhalf Elissalde sent his penalty kick wide after Keith Robinson was caught offside.
Beauxis took the kicking duties back and finally landed a penalty right on the halftime whistle to make the score 13-3 at the break.
McAlister sin-binned
McAlister was yellow carded six minutes into the second half for taking out a French player when a kick went through into the in goal area, and Beauxis kicked the ensuing penalty for 13-6.
France cashed in on their extra man advantage when Dusautoir went over for a try after some excellent attacking play saw the New Zealand defensive line stretched.
Beauxis's conversion went over after hitting the upright, giving his side what would be a crucial two points, and making the scores level at 13-13.
In what would prove to be a decisive blow to the All Blacks, flyhalf and kicker Carter left the field injured in the 55th minute replaced by Nick Evans.
So'oialo then scored in the 63rd minute, burrowing low through the defence after concerted pressure on the France line, with McAlister missing the important conversion as he took over the kicking duties for the injured Carter.
Jauzion scored with 10 minutes remaining after a great break by replacement flyhalf Frederick Michalak who had just taken the field.
Michalak hit a gap and sprinted away down the left before pulling up and finding Jauzion on the inside who scooted over with Elissalde adding the extras to put France in the lead 20-18.
McAlister had a chance to win it with 30 seconds to go but his 50 metre drop goal attempt went wide.
After all the talk of the southern hemisphere sides dominating the northern hemisphere sides during the group stage, France will now play England in the first semi-final in Saint Denis next week after an amazing day of rugby.