 |
| ** Clerc hat-trick seals win for France  Wing Vincent Clerc of France dives past James Pritchard of Canada to score his team's third try during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Canada at McLean Park on September 18, 2011 in Napier, New Zealand. ( September 17, 2011 - Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images AsiaPac) **France wing Vincent Clerc scored three tries to help see off a resurgent Canada outfit 46-19 in the wet at McLean Park on Sunday. In difficult conditions that made handling of the ball difficult, France scrum-half Moran Parra landed 23 points from the boot to ensure Les Bleus were able to bank their second win of the tournament in Napier. The scrum-half's sure-footed accuracy in heavy rain meant France were able to bounce back from a slow start and quell the fight of the Canucks. Canada tried hard but effort was about all they brought to the contest. The Canadians had twice led early on but they were left to rue the misses from full-back James Pritchard as France were let off the hook. Man of the match: Morgan Parra's kicking from the tee was flawless. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7186374,00.html *** next test: 9-24 NZ v France Auckland * 9-27 Canada v Japan Napier **** |
