New Zealand produced a vastly improved performance from its first test loss to beat France 14-10 in atrocious conditions at Westpac Stadium on Saturday. Ma'a Nonu scored a try as the All Blacks won the second test to level the series, but France secured the Dave Gallaher Cup for the first time since it was introduced in 2000 by virtue of their five-point win in Dunedin last week. Wallabies thrash Italy In Melbourne, Adam Ashley-Cooper came off the bench to score a try in both halves as Australia cruised to an emphatic 34-12 victory over Italy in their second and final test in Melbourne on Saturday. Springboks hold off Lions In Durban, world champion South Africa survived a stirring fightback by the British and Irish Lions to win a pulsating first test 26-21 at Kings Park on Saturday. Tries by captain John Smit and flanker Heinrich Brussow and some accurate goalkicking put South Africa 26-7 ahead early in the second half and seemingly in control. The Lions fought back superbly as flanker Tom Croft added a second try to his first-half effort and scrumhalf Mike Phillips scampered over to set up a thrilling finale. The Springboks held out and with the second test in Pretoria next Saturday and the third in Johannesburg on July 4 they look well-placed to gain revenge for their defeat in 1997. Only once before, against Australia in 1989, have the Lions lost the first test and come back to win the series.
