Rugby League: Rauhihi admits Kiwis lucky to grab late win

3.30pm

Prop Paul Rauhihi admits the Kiwis were fortunate to escape with a 24-20 victory yesterday in their one-off rugby league test against a French side who belied their underdog status.

The New Zealanders, with four new caps in their side, outscored their opponents by five tries to three at Carcassonne, but needed a late effort from second rower Ali Lauitiiti to prevent a shock defeat.

The Kiwis had come to the south of France because of their bye this week in the Tri-Nations tournament.

Rauhihi, named vice-captain to Ruben Wiki, who began on the bench, said there was relief that they would be leaving with a win.

"We started the game pretty scrappy and they played for the whole 80 minutes," he said.

"I think we played pretty well in the second half, but they kept their levels up throughout the game and made it tough for us. We were pretty lucky in the end to get away with it."

Errors by the Kiwis allowed France to jump to a 12-8 lead at the break through converted tries to former Featherstone five-eighth Maxime Greseque and winger Claude Sirvent.

Greseque was the outstanding player at Stade Albert Domec, sparking French attacks, kicking four goals from four attempts and producing two 40-20 kicks.

In the second half, the New Zealanders tightened up their game, concentrating on going up the middle and cutting down pushed passes.

Centre Clinton Toopi, who with winger Shontayne Hape had scored the tourists' two first-half tries, got his second six minutes after the interval to put his side back in front.

However, a Greseque penalty and a cross-field bomb that led to winger Frederic Zitter dotting down pushed France out to a 20-14 lead.

With 10 minutes to go, Wiki barged over to bring New Zealand back to within two points and the comeback was completed three minutes from time when Lauitiiti weaved through the defence to score under the posts.

Although the Kiwis went into the match as overwhelming favourites, Rauhihi said he wasn't surprised at how competitive the French were.

"We always knew they were going to be tough," he said.

"They had nothing to lose and we were trying to get a bit of momentum out there."

The National Rugby League's prop of the year, Rauhihi played down his own solid contribution to the game.

He was just happy that he had got over the lingering calf problem that he carried during North Queensland's finals campaign and kept him out of drawn Tri-Nations opener against Australia in Auckland last month.

"I can't be too happy when it's a scrappy game like that," he said.

"I just glad I've got over my injuries and can be at about the level I was when I was playing some better footy this year."

France's Australian coach, Mick Aldous, said he was proud of his side, but disappointed they had been unable to break a 24-year French drought of victories against New Zealand.

Aldous, who took over the job seven weeks ago, said the important thing was to try to build a winning mentality in his squad.

"The French are used to going close, but I'm used to winning," he said.

"To be beaten in the last three minutes hurts because I know how hard the boys prepared for this match. Had we won, it would have been a step on the road. Now we have to start again."

France are back in action on November 20, when they will take on Australia at Perpignan.

- NZPA