League: Kiwis struggle to victory over France

Three late tries gave the Kiwi rugby league team a scratchy 38-22 win in their friendly clash against France in Toulouse this morning.

The game was for 70 minutes a tit-for-tat affair, with their fragile defence giving the Kiwis plenty to work on if they make the Tri-Nations final.

France showed confidence from the start, electing to pass up a penalty opportunity in front of the posts only two minutes into the game.

The decision paid off with Laurent Carrasco scoring a try under the posts.

The Kiwis replied five minutes later with a Iafeta Palea'aesina try, but France again scored after passing up another easy penalty opportunity.

Kiwis back-rower David Kidwell made an immediate impact coming off the bench to score a controversial try in the 25th minute and level the scores at 12-12, while Shontayne Hape added an unconverted four points just short of half-time.

Video replays showed Kidwell appeared to have lost control of the ball fractionally short of the line as he went to touch it down.

An Olivier Charles try in the 52nd minute briefly brought France level again at 16-16, but the Kiwis immediately struck back with a try from second-rower Ali Lauitiiti.

Minutes later France again edged ahead with a converted Carrasco try.

But three converted tries in the closing 10-minutes to Louis Anderson, Stacey Jones and Brent Webb gave the Kiwis a 38-22 win.

The Kiwis will now eagerly await the result of Great Britain's clash with Australia tomorrow morning (NZ time) to see if they make the Tri-Nations final.

They will do so if Australia win or draw, or if Great Britain win by more than eight points.

Result:

New Zealand 38 (Iafeta Palea'aesina, David Kidwell, Shontayne Hape, Ali Lauitiiti, Louis Anderson, Stacey Jones, Brent Webb tries; Motu Tony, 1 con, Jones 4 con)
France 22 ( Laurent Carrasco, 2, David Ferriol, Olivier Charles tries; Laurent Frayssinous, 2 con, Sebastien Raguin, 1 con)

Halftime: 16-12 New Zealand.

- NZPA