France evoked memories of its 2007 Rugby World Cup win over New Zealand when it beat an unsettled All Blacks team 27-22 at Carisbrook on Saturday. The match was the first between the teams since the 2007 World Cup clash when the French beat tournament favorites New Zealand 20-18 in a quarterfinal. A new-look but equally pugnacious French team inflicted further discomfort on New Zealand on Saturday when it outplayed the depleted All Blacks, posting France's first win on New Zealand soil since 1994. Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc and hooker William Servat scored tries as France took an emphatic 17-3 lead after 27 minutes, dominating the match in every area. New Zealand fought back with a try to No. 8 Liam Messam to trail 17-11 at halftime and tied the scores 17-17 after 57 minutes before France pulled away with a late intercept try to fullback Maxime Medard. The teams play again next Saturday in Wellington. Australia beats Italy In Canberra, teenage fullback James O'Connor celebrated his first full test appearance with a hat trick of tries in Australia's 31-8 win over Italy on Saturday. The 18-year-old made a dream start to his first run-on match for the Wallabies, scoring his opening try in the fourth minute then crossing twice more. Flyhalf Matt Giteau also scored in the first half to help the Australians to a 17-3 lead at the break before Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock barged his way over in the second term. Lions unbeaten James Hook kicked a long-range penalty three minutes from full-time to give the British and Irish Lions a 26-23 triumph over Western Province in a tense tour match Saturday. Pumas beat England Argentina scored a try early in each half to claim a hard-fought 24-22 win over England at home on Saturday and level the two-test series. Flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored the first try in the opening five minutes and three penalties by flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez gave Argentina a 14-3 lead at the interval following Andy Goode's solitary reply from a penalty.
