CARCASSONNE, France (AFP) - A late surge gave New Zealand a 24-20 win over France in their rugby league Test match.
World vice-champions New Zealand had looked set for a surprise reversal at the hands of their hosts when they trailed 8-12 at half-time in rainy conditions at the walled medieval city in south west France.
France lead at the break largely thanks to the individual effort of scrum-half Maxime Greseque, the top scorer of the match, who singlehandedly accounted for 12 of his sides points.
Greseque put France on the scoreboard first with a try after six minutes, which he duely converted and then set up a second for teammate Claude Sirvent to touch down after 39 minutes.
New Zealand stayed in touch with two tries in the space of five minutes with centre Clinton Toopi touching down after 20 minutes and minutes later Shontayne Hape found gaps in the French defence.
Toopi claimed a second after 46 minutes but the hosts looked in control early in the second half with a stunning kick pass from Greseque allowing Frederic Zitter to claim France's third try after 56 minutes.
New Zealand captain Ruben Wiki turned the match in the visitors' favour for the first time with ten minutes to go, with the Kiwis fifth try from forward Ali Lauiti'iti after 76 minutes killing off French hopes.
11/11/2004 - 18:09 GMT - AFP