Sports

France ends winless streak

February 24, 2018
France’s Maxime Machenaud scores a penalty kick against Italy during their Six Nations Championship at Orange Velodrome, Marseille, Friday. — Reuters
France’s Maxime Machenaud scores a penalty kick against Italy during their Six Nations Championship at Orange Velodrome, Marseille, Friday. — Reuters

MARSEILLE — France overpowered Italy 34-17 Friday to end an eight-game winless streak and claim its first victory in this year’s Six Nations.

Les Bleus, who had not won a game since beating Wales in the same competition last March, prevailed thanks to tries from Paul Gabrillagues, Hugo Bonneval and Mathieu Bastareaud.

Scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud added five penalties and a conversion while replacement Francois Trinh-Duc added another conversion.

Italy scored a first-half penalty try, while Tommaso Allan’s penalty and Matteo Minozzi’s late try, converted by Carlo Canna, gave the scoreline a touch of gloss for the visitors.

“It was a tough game for us but I think the performance was not too bad,” Italy number eight Sergio Parisse said.

“I think our defense was much better than the first two games. Just keep going, keep working. It’s difficult when you lose, but we have another two games to possibly get a win.”

France, which snatched its first win under new coach Jacques Brunel, has six points, three behind leader Ireland and England who have played a game fewer. Italy remains pointless at the bottom of the table.

France next takes on England on March 10, while Italy travels to Wales a day later.

The hosts were without several players who were dropped after going out late at night following France’s 32-26 defeat by Scotland, which had followed a 15-13 loss to Ireland in their opening game.

Crusaders, Waratahs win

A penalty try ensured the Canterbury Crusaders launched the defense of their Super Rugby crown with a win over the Waikato Chiefs Saturday while the NSW Waratahs snatched victory in the final minute.

The Crusaders beat the Chiefs 45-23, but it was harder work for the Waratahs who needed a last-ditch try by Ned Hanigan to clinch a 34-27 win over South Africa’s Western Stormers.

In Saturday’s earlier game, Australia’s ACT Brumbies had to come from behind for their 32-25 victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

The Crusaders’ scoreline blew out after they were awarded a penalty try when desperately clinging to a 26-23 lead inside the last nine minutes.

It put the defending champions 10 points ahead, forcing the Chiefs to take risks which backfired as they gave away two intercept tries in the closing minutes.

The late scoring burst from the Crusaders came after the Chiefs had produced 20 unanswered points to rise from a 19-3 deficit in the first half to lead 20-19 early in the second.

There were nine tries scored in the helter-skelter but error-strewn encounter — seven of them to the Crusaders who were also hit with two yellow cards leaving captain Sam Whitelock unimpressed with their overall effort.

“It’s very, very tough when you’re down to 14 men for periods. We gave away too many penalties,” Whitelock said. — Agencies


February 24, 2018
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